Institutio Oratoria

Another method of making light of a statement is to suggest a reason. Cicero employed this method against Vatinius. The latter was lame and, wishing to make it seem that his health was improved, said that he could now walk as much as two miles.

Yes,

said Cicero,

for the days are longer.

Again Augustus, when the inhabitants of Tarraco reported that a palm had sprung up on the altar dedicated to him, replied,

That shows how often you kindle fire upon it.

Cassius Severus showed his wit by transferring a charge made against himself to a different quarter. For when lie was reproached by the praetor on the ground that his advocates had insulted Lucius Varus, an Epicurean and a friend of Caesar, he replied,

I do not know who they were who insulted him, I suppose they were Stoics.

Of retorts there are a number of forms, the wittiest being that which is helped out by a certain verbal similarity, as in the retort made by Trachalus to Suelius. The latter had said,

If that is the case, you go into exile

: to which Trachalus replied,

And if it is not the case, you go back into exile.

[*]( The point is obscure; we have no key to the circumstances of the jest. )