Institutio Oratoria, Vol. III

...a son who disobeys may be disinherited. A man who took back a son whom he had exposed orders him to marry a wealthy neighbor. The son wishes to marry the daughter of the poor man who raised him. 15 The law regarding exposed children pertains to matters of emotion; the trial itself depends upon the law of disinheritance. Yet, the question is not always derived from a single law, as in the case of contradictory laws antinomia. Once these are examined, it will become clear what the point of contention is.

16 A complex defense is one such as the pro Rabirio: "If he had killed him, he would have been justified; but he did not kill him." However, when we speak against a single proposition using many arguments, we must first consider everything that can be said, then judge which points it is advantageous to say, and in what order. In this, I do not share the opinion I held earlier regarding propositions and proofs—that we may sometimes begin with the strongest arguments.

17 For the force of our questions should always increase, progressing from the weakest to the most powerful, whether they are of the same kind or different. Questions of law often arise from various conflicting points, whereas questions of fact always look toward the same end; 18 in...