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55. From all this we may conclude, that the end arrived at by the
two styles last mentioned is the one which it is most essential for
those who aspire to speak with wisdom and eloquence to secure. On the
other hand, what the temperate style properly aims at, viz., to
please by beauty of expression, is not in itself an adequate end; but
when what we have to say is good and useful, and when the hearers are
both acquainted with it and favorably disposed towards it, so that it
is not necessary either to instruct or persuade them, beauty of style
may have its influence in securing their prompter compliance, or in
making them adhere to it more tenaciously. For as the function of all
eloquence, whichever of these three forms it may assume, is to speak
persuasively, and its object is to persuade, an eloquent man will
speak persuasively, whatever style he may adopt; but unless he
succeeds in persuading, his eloquence has not secured its object. Now
in the subdued style, he persuades his hearers that what he says is
true; in the majestic style, he persuades them to do what they are
aware they ought to do, but do not; in the temperate style, he
persuades them that his speech is elegant and ornate. But what use is
there in attaining such an object as this last? They may desire it who
are vain of their eloquence and make a boast of panegyrics, and
such-like performances, where the object is not to instruct the
hearer, or to persuade him to any course of action, but merely to give
him pleasure. We, however, ought to make that end subordinate to
another, viz., the effecting by this style of eloquence what we aim
at effecting when we use the majestic style. For we may by the use of
this style persuade men to cultivate good habits and give up evil ones,
if a good course; we may induce them to pursue a good course, we may
induce them to pursue it more zealously, and to persevere in it with,
constancy. Accordingly, even in the temperate style we must use
beauty of expression not for ostentation, but for wise ends; not
contenting ourselves merely with pleasing the hearer, but rather
seeking to aid him in the pursuit of the good end which we hold out
before him.
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