Rhetoric

then it was that Odysseus alone was able to call them back and turn them about, and at last by his speech, together with Nestor, persuaded them to remain.

"And the others, the best and most kingly of his heroes, he represented as having no less earnest concern for such ability—Diomedes and Odysseus and Nestor, this last surpassing all in understanding and persuasiveness.

And the greatness of the use of speech he showed in another passage as well.

and the future statesman received an elaborate education in rhetoric, law, and philosophy, studying and practising under some of the most noted teachers of the time.

I have said this at the beginning in order that if the discourse which is now about to be presented to the public should appear to some to be more feeble than those which have been published in former years, they may not compare it in the matter of rhetorical variety and finish to my former compositions but may judge it in relation to the subject matter which I have deemed appropriate to the present occasion.

No, I left all these to others and devoted my own efforts to giving advice on the true interests of Athens and of the rest of the Hellenes, writing in a style rich in many telling points, in contrasted and balanced phrases not a few, and in the other figures of speech which give brilliance to oratory and compel the approbation and applause of the audience.

I have the same fault to find also with those who are skilled in oratory and those who are distinguished for their writings and in general with all who have superior attainments in the arts, in the sciences, and in specialized skill.

As for that whose falsity is equal to its truth, it is that by which some persuasion is sought in whatever opinion it may be, and that the hearer should come to rest in what is said to him and give it some measure of credence, which falls short of strong presumption.

And he made seventh a book in which he mentioned the canons of the things that persuade by address, and brought forward all by which this art is completed, so that a man may be in it more perfect and more penetrating;

Along with that, if a man aims to be a strong dialectician, or an eloquent orator, or a poet who splits open his theme, he inclines towards what he seeks and acquires the book in which the canons of that art were composed, so as to become by them in the highest degree of it and the loftiest rank in it.

Most authors have indeed brought the table (al-jadwal), rhetoric (khaṭābah), and poetry — indeed, even fallacy — into logic.