QUINTILIAN

BOOK X

...If there were special words for individual things, they would require less care, for they would present themselves immediately along with the things themselves. But since some words are more appropriate, more ornate, more effective, or better sounding than others, they must not only all be known, but must be ready at hand and, so to speak, in plain sight, so that when they present themselves to the speaker's judgment, the selection of the best is easy.
7 I know that some are accustomed to memorize synonyms so that one word might occur more easily from among many, and if they used one and needed another shortly after, they could take another that meant the same thing to avoid repetition. This is both childish and a sign of inefficient work, and is of little use; it only gathers a crowd of words from which one seizes whatever comes first without discrimination.
8 We, however, must prepare our store with judgment, looking for the strength of expression rather than the glibness of a street-peddler. We will achieve this by reading and listening to the best authors; for in this way, we will not only learn the names of things but also what is most appropriate in any given context.
9 For almost all words, except for a few that are indecent, have a place in oratory. For even the writers of iambics and old comedy are often praised for their language, but for us—