Cornelii Valerii Ultraiectini In universam benedicendi [sic] rationem tabula, summam artis rhetoricae complectens

memory, and action, or pronunciation. The first is properly said to be in things, the third in words: the second is common to both, since both words must be chosen and arranged in either a direct or inverted order, though it relates more to the first: the remaining two are almost gifts of nature, which are aided more by exercise than by precepts.

Invention. Invention is the thinking out of true or probable things, which render the speech convincing. This part is perfected by the knowledge of many arts.

Disposition. Disposition is the distribution of invented things into order, in which each is prudently placed in its own position.

Elocutio. Elocution is the adaptation of suitable words and thoughts to invention: or the apt explanation and ornamentation of things.

Memory. Memory is the firm perception of things, words, and order, and their faithful custody.

Action or pronunciation. Action is the delivery of those things which have been invented, arranged, and adorned, with dignity and grace.

Book 3, chapter 3. They subjected judgment to invention: because they did not think it enough to find what is to be said, unless it is also weighed and selected: but this must be applied to all parts. Cic. 1. de Orat. Orator. To these some have added, as Fabius says, a sixth part, Judgment, which they subjected to invention: but to me, it seems to be intermingled with the first three parts, from which I believe pronunciation also borrows the most. And from these parts of the oratorical office, and from the subject matter, the orator can be defined; he who, whatever subject may arise that is to be explained by diction, can speak prudently, composedly, ornately, and memorably, with a certain dignity of action as well.

On invention, the first part of the orator's office.

See the method of the simple theme among dialecticians. The orator must first discover what he is to say, and know the nature, force, parts, adjuncts, and contraries of the subject about which he is to speak. But since he must not only ensure that he makes the cause credible—which must be done in other parts of the speech as well as in the contention, at which place the proposed subject is debated—but also that he reconciles, moves, and even delights, he will employ more Rhetorical topics. places than the dialecticians have been accustomed to hand down, as if they were notes, by whose reminder he will prepare the material of speaking and understand what is required in each part of the speech. Dialectic is content to teach and to make credible; but rhetoric, beyond the necessary duty of teaching, also strives to find how to bring motion to the minds of those whom he wants to persuade: and to incite them either to anger, or hatred, or grief: or to recall them from these disturbances to calmness. Two parts of the speech, as we said, the first and the last, serve for motion or the incitement of the spirit, while the others make the speech credible. Cic. de inuen.