(19) Now the main topics in a speech are only a few, and they are important, but words and phrases are numerous and unimportant, and differ little one from another. (6) And when we came to close quarters, an archer running out from the enemy took aim at this man and missing him hit the ground near me. Cicero, Tusculan Disputations 1.48.116: Alcidamas, one of the noblest ancient rhetor, wrote a praise of Death too, which consists in a list of human evils. Athenaeus: Alcidamas of Elea, student of Gorgias, himself wrote an encomium of Nais the courtesan. It contains a controversial entry: et, quem Palameden Plato appellat, Alcidamas Elaites (1.10). Suda s.v. Summary. (21) But it is different with the speakers of prepared discourse, since, if the slightest detail is omitted or spoken out of place, anxiety, confusion, and a search for the lost word inevitably follow, and there ensues loss of time-sometimes, indeed, abrupt silence and infelicitous, ludicrous, and irremediable embarrassment. Any comments. 0000035510 00000 n WebAlcidamas (Greek: ), of Elaea, in Aeolis, was a Greek sophist and rhetorician, who flourished in the 4th century BC. It is the virtue of man to give heed to leaders and to do what is commanded and to please the whole host and to present oneself everywhere as a good man, doing well by friends and ill by enemies. 96). william doc marshall death. It would be reasonable for us to think of them as we do of bronze statues, and images of stone, and pictures of living beings; just as these last mentioned are only semblances of corporeal bodies, giving pleasure to the eye alone, and are of no practical value, (28) so, in the same way, the written speech, which employs one hard and fast form and arrangement, if privately read, makes an impression, but in crises, because of its rigidity, confers no aid on its possessor. Secondly, I am myself employing the written word, not because I especially pride myself therein, but that I may reveal to those who plume themselves on the ability to write that with a trivial expenditure of effort I myself shall be able to eclipse and destroy their discourses. Emailsalemander.wroclaw@gmail.com, Adresul. xxv.) (25) And Linos, son of Kalliope, whom Herakles killed, discovered music, and furthermore Mousaios, son of the Eumolpidai, an Athenian, discovered numbers as his poems too show: A straight hexameter of four and twenty measures/So that a hundred men live as a tenth generation. Immediate help is demanded in trials, but the written word is perfected at leisure and slowly. According to Alcidamas, the highest aim of the orator was the power of speaking extempore on every conceivable subject. Thus it is that, since writing is easier than speaking, we should rightly consider the ability to compose a meaner accomplishment. 5. This is not understandable at all, unless perhaps these words refer to the speech On the Writers of Written Discourses. So true it is that devotion to writing conduces to utter inability in speaking. (4) The fact of the matter, as you may be aware, is treachery; for this, punishments are prescribed which are ten times greater than for other crimes, and yet, as you all know, there has never been any hostility or quarrel between me and him on any matter up to now, and moreover this has been so both in the palaistra and in the drinking party where very many quarrels and insults begin. Alcidamas is an important figure in the development of Greek rhetoric early in the fourth century BC. So it is not Palamedes invention but that of others before him. We possess two declamations under his name: .mw-parser-output .wst-lang-grc{font-family:GentiumPlus;font-feature-settings:"cv78"on,"cv83"on} , directed against Isocrates and setting forth the superiority of extempore over written speeches (a recently discovered fragment of another speech against Isocrates if probably of later date); , in which Odysseus accuses Palamedes of treachery during the siege of Troy (this is generally considered spurious). | 20.11.17 [29] It may, perhaps, be alleged that it is illogical for one to condemn written discourse who himself employs it in the present written essay, and to disparage a pursuit through the employment of which he is preparing to win fame among the Greeks. It would be reasonable for us to think of them as we do of bronze statues, and images of stone, and pictures of living beings; just as these last mentioned are but the semblances of corporeal bodies, giving pleasure to the eye alone, and are of no practical value. [31] Furthermore, I am now essaying the written word because of the display orations which are delivered to the crowd. 0000031787 00000 n When Nauplios arrived, he gave him the girl to drown in the sea. For a sense of what may be on the way, consider three possible analogues, or precursors: the browser, the printing press and practice of psychoanalysis. assimilation: The adoption, by a minority group, of the customs and attitudes of the dominant culture. [24] Aside from these considerations, extemporaneous speakers and those who deliver set speeches can not, in the same way, handle arguments which arise in the course of lawsuits. In extemporaneous speech the mind must be concerned only with reference to the main topics, which are elaborated as the speaker proceeds. what has been said above about Protagoras and about Antisthenes, as well as Philodemus 1 p. 242.5: Those who claim that the rhetoricians dealt skillfully with speech based on question and answer will not be able to show that this technique was unique to them, or that they wrote handbooks on it, but the philosophers did. See Aristt. Cultures are internally affected by both forces encouraging change and forces Many have weighed in on the issue, in particular Fr. 0000023093 00000 n But he <.> and persuaded Kinyras not to join us on the expedition and left there on his ship taking many presents from Kinyras. Aristotle (Rhet. Although his writings are probably later [2] This I shall do, not because I think they possess an ability which I myself have not, but for the reason that I pride myself more on other matters; I believe that writing should be practised as an ancillary pursuit. Other arts are wont to be helpful coadjutors to man; this one stands in the way of advantages that come of themselves. (21) And he gave a bronze breastplate to Agamemnon which was worth nothing and he himself held on to the other goods. [9] I think, too, that in human life the ability to speak is always a more useful accomplishment, but the writing of speeches is seldom of opportune value. 1. (13) This man has eliminated large numbers of Greeks, stolen many goods from their ships, done very great violence to the sailors and left no kind of crime untouched. 19, Quint. 0000003756 00000 n (11) Yet let us also look at this. WebAlcidamas to copy happy expressions in what is well said, to correct some things on the advice of ordinary people and to revise and rewrite others having looked over them by oneself many times, this is naturally easy even for those without training. Herder's Essay on Being. (22) I believe, too, that extemporaneous speakers exercise greater sway over their hearers than those who deliver set speeches; for the latter, who have laboriously composed their discourses long before the occasion, often miss their opportunity. The Classical Review publishes informative reviews from leading Wrocawskie 55-040, KRS0000475021 (8) And I would have shown you the very arrow to show that this was true; but, as it was, in the confusion Teukros shot it back without realizing it. [10] Whenever the need arises to admonish the erring, to console the unfortunate, to mollify the exasperated, to refute sudden accusations, then it is that the ability to speak can be man's helpful ally. WebAlcidamas, (born 4th century bc ), prominent Sophist and rhetorician who taught in Athens. This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. WebDespite the requirement to speak without written aids, the ancients clearly had plenty of uses for writing when preparing, memorizing and disseminating orations. But, since others have this power, is it not silly for us to practise anything other than extemporaneous speech? 6. And, just as the living human body has far less comeliness than a beautiful statue, yet manifold practical service, so also the speech which comes directly from the mind, on the spur of the moment, is full of life and action, and keeps pace with the events like a real person, while the written discourse, a mere semblance of the living speech, is devoid of all efficacy. (20) When the Greeks and Menelaus discovered the theft, Menelaus got together an expedition and sent many of us in different directions to the cities to ask for troops. Pupil of Gorgias and a keen rival of Isocrates, As the managing director and head of group human resources, Yan Hong Lee works closely with the senior leadership team to drive the companys strategic Nie kady chce powica swj wolny czas dla drugiego, wiec tym bardziej doceniamy ich zaangaowanie. Cf. It publishes over 2,500 books a year for distribution in more than 200 countries. (3) In the first place, one may condemn the written word because it may be readily assailed, and because it may be easily and readily practised by any one of ordinary ability. WebFor Alcidamas writing should not be rejected out of hand. Gr. More than half a century of cross-cultural research has demonstrated group-level differences in psychological and behavioral phenomena, from values to attention to neural responses. Heraclitus knew the legend of the riddle of the lice and Homer's death ( Vors. Wolfgang Pross. So that he might be identifiable because of the design, and so that his opposite number might fire an arrow towards him according to the agreement and he might throw his javelin at him. Creating a sense of urgency is helpful, but can be short-lived. For what purpose ? (17) Similarly, just as those who are freed after long confinement in bonds are unable to walk normally, but still must proceed in the same fashion and manner as when previously inhibited, so, the practice of writing, by making sluggish the mental processes, and by giving the opposite sort of training in speaking, produces an unready and fettered speaker, deficient in all extemporaneous fluency. (26) Did not the Phoenicians, being the most logical and clever of the barbarians, discover coinage? iii. Overall, an organizations culture is the end product of its tools, processes and control mechanisms. (24) Aside from these considerations, extemporaneous speakers and those who deliver set speeches cannot, in the same way, handle arguments that arise in the course of lawsuits. Read more on Wikipedia. (29) It may perhaps be alleged that it is illogical for one to condemn written discourse who himself employs it in the present written essay, and to disparage a pursuit through the employment of which he is preparing to win fame among the Greeks. 63 0 obj <> endobj xref 63 23 0000000016 00000 n [6] Further, every sensible person will admit that the clever speaker, by changing somewhat his natural point of view, will be able to write well, but no one would believe that it follows that this same power will make the clever writer a clever speaker; for it is reasonable to suppose that, when those who can accomplish difficult tasks devote their attention to the easy, they will readily perform them. I picked up the arrow and gave it to Eurybates to give to Teukros so that he could use it. Looking into the written word, however, just as in a mirror, one can easily behold the advance of intelligence. To speak extemporaneously, and appropriately to the occasion, to be quick with arguments, and not to be at a loss for a word, to meet the situation successfully, and to fulfil the eager anticipation of the audience and to say what is fitting to be said, such ability is rare, and is the result of no ordinary training. Menelaus decided to sail and, having ordered his wife and her brothers to look after the guests, seeing that they should not want for anything until he himself should return from Crete, he departed. [22] I believe, too, that extemporaneous speakers exercise a greater sway over their hearers than those who deliver set speeches; for the latter, who have laboriously composed their discourses long before the occasion, often miss their opportunity. 12. It often happens that crises occur unexpectedly, when those who can say nothing seem contemptible, while the speakers are seen to be honored by the listeners as possessors of god-like minds. (11) Would it not be ludicrous if, when the herald announces, Who of the citizens wishes to speak?, or, when the water-clock in the courtroom is already flowing, the orator should proceed to his writing tablets to compose and memorize his speech? [5] Whatsoever things are good and fair are ever rare and difficult to acquire, and are the fruits of painful endeavor; but the attainment of the cheap and trivial is easy. David C. Mirhady. Everyone would agree that it is harder to learn and commit to memory details than main heads, and similarly many points than few. Cf. Demosthenes 5): see B 24 5. Tzetzes Chil. [1] Since certain so-called Sophists are vainglorious and puffed up with pride because they have practised the writing of speeches and through books have revealed their own wisdom, although they have neglected learning and discipline and are as inexpert as laymen in the faculty of speaking, and since they claim to be masters of the whole of the art of rhetoric, although they possess only the smallest share of ability therein-- since this is the case, I shall essay to bring formal accusation against written discourses. (10) We must also make a probable inference from these things about the hurling of the javelin too. Of other works only fragments and the titles have survived: , advocating the freedom of the Messenians and containing the sentiment that all are by nature free; a Eulogy of Death, in consideration of the wide extent of human sufferings; a or instruction-book in the art of rhetoric; and a . (16) When one becomes accustomed to slow and meticulous composition, rhythmically connecting phrases with extreme care, perfecting style with slow excogitation, it inevitably follows that, when he attempts extemporaneous speech to which he is unaccustomed, he is mentally embarrassed and confused; in every respect he makes an unfavorable impression, and differs not a whit from the voiceless, and through lack of ready presence of mind is quite unable to handle his material fluently and winningly. Aristotle gave the weight of his great influence to Isocrates and And, when there was a short pause in the battle, he showed me the arrow which had some writing under the feathers. (8) The analogy holds true in speeches, namely, that the master of extempore speaking, if given time and leisure for the written word, will excel at it, but it is evident that the practised writer when he turns to extemporaneous speaking will suffer mental embarrassment, distraction, and confusion. [4] On the contrary, to write after long premeditation, and to revise at leisure, comparing the writings of previous Sophists, and from many sources to assemble thoughts on the same subject, and to imitate felicities cleverly spoken, to revise privately some matters on the advice of laymen and to alter and expunge other parts as a result of repeated and careful excogitation, verily, this is an easy matter even for the untutored.
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