Ciceronianus (Volume 21); Or, a Dialogue on the Best Style of Speaking (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1908. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... neither to know nor to care for, nothing to the point, and moved no one's - feelings. He merited only this praise that he had spoken like a Roman and had reproduced something of Cicero. The speech could have been approved as a specimen of talent and genius, if it had been delivered by a school boy; but what good was it for such a day, before such auditors, and on such a theme, I pray? No.--You will not tell the name of the speaker? Bu.--I prefer not, for I have not intended to cast aspersion upon the name of any but to show an error to be avoided which deceives not a few today under the shadow of a splendid name. This mistaken idea is of interest to us, Nosoponus; the name of the man of whom I have told the story matters not at all. Moreover, this misapprehension also concerns the glory of Cicero, whom I see you favor beyond measure, whom all the learned men of the world justly favor; for these apes not only exert a harmful influence upon youth but also dishonor Cicero by the help of whose name they glorify themselves though they are anything but Ciceronians. Just as men dishonor St. Benedict by boasting themselves Benedictines when in dress, in title, and in life they approach nearer Sardanapalus than St. Benedict; and St. Francis--that man incapable of ill-will--when they boast of his name though they represent in their characters more nearly the Pharisees; and St. Augustine when they say that they are Augustinians though they are far removed from the doctrine as well as the piety of so great a man; and possibly Christ when they have nothing of him except the title: so men cast a blot on the fame of Cicero who have nothing on their tongues except Cicero and Ciceronians, when none are farther from the eloquence of Cicero than they. Wonderful how they c...