[239] In the following list I have divided the latter, making the Moral Essays separate from the Philosophy.
[240] I have given here those treatises which are always printed among the works of Cicero.
[241] De Inventione, lib. ii., 4.
[242] Quintilian, in his Proæmium or Preface: "Oratorem autem instituimus illum perfectum, qui esse nisi vir bonus non potest." It seems as though there had almost been the question whether the perfect orator could exist, although there was no question he had never done so as yet.
[243] Quint., lib. iii., 1: "Præcipuum vero lumen sicut eloquentiæ, ita præceptis quoque ejus, dedit unicum apud nos specimen orandi, docendique oratorias artes, M. Tullius." And in Tacitus, De Oratoribus, xxx.: "Ita ex multa eruditione, ex pluribus artibus," he says, speaking of Cicero, "et omnium rerum scientia exundat, et exuberat illa admirabilis eloquentia; neque oratoris vis et facultas, sicut ceterarum rerum, angustis et brevibus terminis cluditur; sed is est orator, qui de omni quæstione pulchre, et ornate, et ad persuadendum apte dicere, pro dignitate rerum, ad utilitatem temporum, cum voluptate audientium possit." This has not the ring of Tacitus, but it shows equally well the opinion of the day.
[244] De Oratore, lib. i., ca. xi.
[245] Ibid., lib. i., ca. xxv.
[246] Ibid., lib, i., ca. xliv.
[247] Ibid., lib. i., ca. lii.
[248] Ibid., lib. i., ca. lx.