THE INSTITUTIO ORATORIA

OF QUINTILIAN

BOOK X

I. But these rules of style, while part of the student’s theoretical knowledge, are not in themselves sufficient to give him oratorical power. In addition, he will require that assured facility which the Greeks call hexis (a trained habit). I know that many have raised the question as to whether this is best acquired by writing, reading, or speaking, and it would indeed be a question calling for serious consideration if we could rest content with any one of the three.
2 But they are so intimately and inseparably connected that if one of them is neglected, we shall but waste the labor which we have devoted to the others. For eloquence will never attain to its full development or robust health unless it acquires strength by frequent practice in writing, while such practice without the models supplied by reading will be like a ship drifting aimlessly without a steersman. Again, he who knows what he ought to say and how he should say it will be like a miser brooding over his hoarded treasure, unless he has the weapons of his eloquence ready for battle and prepared to deal with every emergency.
3 But the degree in...