Institutio Oratoria

Antithesis, which Roman writers call either contrapositum or contentio, may be effected in more than one way. Single words may be contrasted with single, as in the passage recently quoted, Vicit pudorem libido, timorem audacia, [*](See § 62.) or the contrast may be between pairs of words, as in non nostri ingenii, vestri auxilii est, [*](pro Cluent. i. 4. This is beyond my power; it is your support that is required. ) or sentence may be contrasted with sentence, as in dominetur in contionibus, iaceat in iudiciis. [*](pro Cluent. ii. 5. See IX. ii. 51. )

Next to this another form may appropriately be placed, namely that which we have styled distinction and of which the following is an example: Odit populus Romanus privaiam luxuriam, publicam magoificentiam diligit. [*](pro Muren. xxxvi. 76. The Roman people hates private luxury, but loves public magnificence. Cp. § 65. ) The same is true of the figure by which words of similar termination, but of different meaning are placed at the end of corresponding clauses, as in ut quod in tempore mali fuit, nihil obsit, quod in causa boni fruit, prosit. [*](pro Cluent. xxix. 80. So that what was unfortunate in the occasion may prove no obstacle, while what was fortunate in the case may prove a positive advantage. )