Institutio Oratoria

And yet even then, whatever his deficiencies, he spoke not badly, but merely less well. Therefore before ever he fall a prey to the ambush where time lies in wait for him, the orator should sound the retreat and seek harbour while his ship is yet intact. For the fruits of his studies will not be lessened by retirement. Either he will bequeath the history of his own times for the delight of after ages, or will interpret the law to those who seek his counsels, as Lucius Crassus proposes

to do in the de Oratore [*](de ( Or. I. xlii. 190. ) of Cicero, or compose some treatise on the art of oratory, or give worthy utterance to the sublimest ideals of conduct.