Category Archives: eloquence

Augustine on Teaching with Eloquence

Posted on September 13, 2018 by Matthew Phillips

“For teaching, of course, true eloquence consists, not in making people like what they disliked, nor in making them do what they shrank from, but in making clear what was obscure; yet if this be done without grace of style, … Continue reading →

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Humanity, Reason, and Education

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Nature, the mother of all things, has equipped brute animals with more means to fulfil the functions of their species; but to man alone she has given the faculty of reason, and so she has thrown the burden of human … Continue reading →

Posted in education, eloquence, Erasmus, teaching | Leave a comment

Natural Fellowship

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Matthew Phillips

“Perhaps, though, we should examine more thoroughly what are the natural principles of human fellowship and community.  First is something that is seen in the fellowship of the entire human race.  For its bonding consists of reason and speech, which … Continue reading →

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Lawsuits and Admiration

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“There are many types of cases which call for eloquence, and in our republic many young men have won praise by speaking before the jurors, before the people, and before the senate. But the greatest admiration is inspired in lawsuits.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Cicero, eloquence, lawyers | 1 Comment

Eloquence and Wisdom

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“It is a well known fact that ‘Eloquence without wisdom is futile.'(citing Cicero, Orator 4. 14) Whence it is clear that eloquence derives its efficacy from wisdom.  The utility of eloquence is, in fact, directly in proportion to the measure … Continue reading →

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The Importance of Speech

Posted on March 25, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“The whole community of men, the method of organising life in public and in private, procuring everything by which we preserve life, and also all communication, are held together by speech.” Philip Melanchthon, “Praise of Eloquence,” in Orations on Philosophy … Continue reading →

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Eloquence is worth the effort

Posted on March 21, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“For eloquence is something altogether greater than a noisy mass of words.  But yet, I see the young fall into error; since they know neither the power nor the nature of eloquence, they do not consider it worth the effort … Continue reading →

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Eloquent Nonsense

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Matthew Phillips

“We must beware of the man who abounds in eloquent nonsense, and so much the more if the hearer is pleased with what is not worth listening to, and thinks that because the speaker is eloquent what he says must … Continue reading →

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