Institutio Oratoria

In continuous and flowing passages a most becoming gesture is slightly to extend the arm with shoulders well thrown back and the fingers opening as the hand moves forward. But when we have to speak in specially rich or impressive style, as, for example, in the passage saxa atiqu solitudines voci respondent, [*](pro Arh. viii. 19. See VIII. iii. 75 and IX. iv. 44. Rocks and solitude make answer to the voice. ) the arm will be thrown out in a stately sidelong sweep and the words will, as it were, expand in unison with the gesture.

As for the hands, without which all action would be crippled and enfeebled, it is scarcely possible to describe the variety of their motions, since they are almost as expressive as words. For other portions of the body merely help the speaker, whereas the hands may almost be said to speak.