Institutio Oratoria

There are occasions on which we may adopt a gentle manner in depreciating our opponents by giving a picture of their character, as in the following passage: [*]( From the lost pro Galio. )

I seemed to see some persons entering the room and others leaving it, while others were staggering to and fro under the influence of wine.

Under such circumstances we may even allow the gesture to match the voice, and may employ a gentle movement from side to side: but this motion should be confined to the hands, and there should be no movement of the flanks.

There are a number of gradations of tone which may be

employed to kindle the feeling of the judges. The most vehement tones that an orator is ever called upon to use will be employed in passages such as the following: [*](pro Liq. iii. 7 and 6. )

When the war was begun, Caesar, and was, in fact, well on its way to a conclusion.

For he has just said:

I will use my voice to its fullest power, that all the Roman people may hear me.

On the other hand, a lower tone, not devoid of a certain charm, should be employed in passages such as: [*](pro Liq. iii. 9. )

What was that sword of yours doing, 'Tubero, that sword that was drawn on the field of Pharsalus?