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52. Now it is a matter of importance to determine what style should
be alternated with what other, and the places where it is necessary
that any particular style should be used. In the majestic style, for
instance, it is always, or almost always, desirable that the
introduction should be temperate.
And the speaker has it in his discretion to use the subdued style even
where the majestic would be allowable, in order that the majestic when
it is used may be the more majestic by comparison, and may as it were
shine out with greater brilliance from the dark background. Again,
whatever may be the style of the speech or writing, when knotty
questions turn up for solution, accuracy of distinction is required,
and this naturally demands the subdued style. And accordingly this
style must be used in alternation with the other two styles whenever
questions of that sort turn up; just as we must use the temperate
style, no matter what may be the general tone of the discourse,
whenever praise or blame is to be given without any ulterior reference
to the condemnation or acquittal of any one, or to obtaining the
concurrence of any one in a course of action. In the majestic style,
then, and in the quiet likewise, both the other two styles
occasionally find place. The temperate style, on the other hand, not
indeed always, but occasionally, needs the quiet style; for example,
when, as I have said, a knotty question comes up to be settled, or
when some points that are susceptible of ornament are left unadorned and
expressed in the quiet style, in order to give greater effect to
certain exuberances (as they may be called) of ornament. But the
temperate style never needs the aid of the majestic; for its object is
to gratify, never to excite, the mind.
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