little while ago ^ as necessary to be fulfilled by any one who
CHAP. XXVI.] USE OF THE TEMPERATE STYLE. 165 boast of panegyrics, and sucli-like performances, where the object is not to instruct the hearer, or to persuade him to any course of action, but merely to give him pleasure. We, however, ought to make that end subordinate to another, viz. the efiecting by this style of eloquence what we aim at effecting when w^e use the majestic style. For we may by the use of this style persuade men to cultivate good habits and give up evil ones, if they are not so hardened as to need the vehement style ; or if they have already begun a good course, we may induce them to pursue it more zealously, and to persevere in it with constancy. Accordingly, even in the temperate st3de we must use beauty of expression not for ostentation, but for wise ends ; not contenting ourselves merely with pleasing the hearer, but rather seeking to aid him in the pursuit of the good end which we hold out before him.
Chap. xxvi.— In everyjtyle the orator slioukl aim at perspicuity, beauty, and 2)ersuasiveness.
56. IS'ow in regard to the three conditions I laid down a little while ago ^ as necessary to be fulfilled by any one who wishes to speak with wisdom and eloquence, viz. perspicuity, beauty of style, and persuasive power, we are not to understand that these three qualities attach themselves respectively to the three several styles of speech, one to each, so that perspicuity is a merit peculiar to the subdued style, beauty to the temperate, and persuasive power to the majestic. On the contrary, all speech, whatever its style, ought constantly to aim at, and as far as possible to disj)lay, all these three merits. For we do not like even what we say in the subdued style to pall upon the hearer ; and therefore w^e would be listened to, not with intelligence merely, but with pleasure as well. Again, why do we enforce what we teach by divine testimony, except that we wish to carry the hearer wdth us, that is, to compel his assent by calling in the assistance of Him of whom it is said, " Thy testimonies are very sure " ? ^ And when any one narrates a story, even in the subdued style, what does he wish but to be believed ? But who will listen to him if he do not arrest attention by some beauty of style ? And if he be not intelligible, is it not plain that he can
^ Chnps. XV. and xvii, " Vs. xciii. 5.