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While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.

Quintilian

Without natural gifts technical rules are useless.
QUINTILIAN

Gift Natural Rule Technical
Men of quality are in the wrong to undervalue, as they often do, the practise of a fair and quick hand in writing; for it is no immaterial accomplishment.
QUINTILIAN

Accomplishment Man Quality Value Wrong
We excuse our sloth under the pretext of difficulty.
QUINTILIAN

Difficult Excuse Ourselves
Men, even when alone, lighten their labors by song, however rude it may be.
QUINTILIAN

Alone Light Man Rude
When defeat is inevitable, it is wisest to yield.
QUINTILIAN

Defeat Protection Wisdom
We should not speak so that it is possible for the audience to understand us, but so that it is impossible for them to misunderstand us.
QUINTILIAN

Impossible Misunderstand Possible Talk Understand
Sayings designed to raise a laugh are generally untrue and never complimentary. Laughter is never far removed from derision.
QUINTILIAN

Complimentary Design Laughter Raise
An evil-speaker differs from an evil-doer only in the want of opportunity.
QUINTILIAN

Difference Evil Opportunity
A mediocre speech supported by all the power of delivery will be more impressive than the best speech unaccompanied by such power.
QUINTILIAN

Accompany Average Impression Support
A laugh costs too much when bought at the expense of virtue.
QUINTILIAN

Cost Expense Laughter Virtue
Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.
QUINTILIAN

Ambition Father Vice Virtue
The mind is exercised by the variety and multiplicity of the subject matter, while the character is moulded by the contemplation of virtue and vice.
QUINTILIAN

Exercise Mindset Subject Vice Virtue
There is no one who would not rather appear to know than to be taught.
QUINTILIAN

Appearance Teaching
It is easier to do many things than to do one thing continuously for a long time.
QUINTILIAN

Different Easy Time
The obscurity of a writer is generally in proportion to his incapacity.
QUINTILIAN

Capacity Writing
While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.
QUINTILIAN

Examination Expectation Time

While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.

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While we are examining into everything we sometimes find truth where we least expected it.

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Popular Authors

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