Institutio Oratoria

propose after making a few preliminary remarks on the subject to give a frank expression of my own views, or in other words to set forth what I perceive to have been the practice of the most distinguished orators.

Tile term enthymeme [*](For this chapter see note prefixed to Index.) is applied not merely to the actual argument, that is to say, the matter adduced to prove something else, but also to its expression, the nature of which, as I have already pointed out, is twofold. [*](cp. v. x. 2. ) It may be drawn from denial of consequents, when it will consist of a proposition immediately followed by a proof, as in the following passage from the pro Ligario; [*]( vi. 19. The cause helped by heaven is that of Caesar. cp. Lucan's victrix causa deis placuit, sed victa Catoni. )

At that point the justice of the cause was doubtful, since there was something to be said on both sides. But now we can only regard that cause as superior, which even the gods supported.

It may on the other hand be drawn from incompatibles, in which case the proof will be much stronger; indeed some restrict the title of enthymeme [*](cp. v. x. 2. ) to this form of argument. The following passage from the pro Milone [*](xxix. 79. The death is that of Clodius.) of Cicero will provide a parallel:

You are then sitting there to avenge the death of a man whom you would refuse to restore to life, even if you thought it within your power to do so.