Chapter XXII.

On reflection and passion, and on observing propriety of speech, both in ordinary conversation and in holding discussions.

98. There are two kinds of mental motions122    Cic. de Off. I. 36, § 132.—those of reflection and of passion. The one has to do with reflection, the other with passion. There is no confusion one with the other, for they are markedly different and unlike. Reflection has to search and as it were to grind out the truth. Passion prompts and stimulates us to do something. Thus by its very nature reflection diffuses tranquillity and calm; and passion sends forth the impulse to act. Let us then be ready to allow reflection on good things to enter into our mind, and to make passion submit to reason (if indeed we wish to direct our minds to guard what is seemly), lest desire for anything should shut out reason. Rather let reason test and see what befits virtue.

99. And since we have said that we must aim at the observance of what is seemly,123    Cic. de Off. I. 37. so as to know what is the due measure in our words and deeds, and as order in speech rather than in action comes first; speech is divided into two kinds: first, as it is used in friendly conversation, and then in the treatment and discussion of matters of faith and justice. In either case we must take care that there is no irritation. Our language should be mild and quiet, and full of kindness and courtesy and free from insult. Let there be no obstinate disputes in our familiar conversations, for they are wont only to bring up useless subjects, rather than to supply anything useful. Let there be discussion without wrath, urbanity without bitterness, warning without sharpness, advice without giving offence. And as in every action of our life we ought to take heed to this, in order that no overpowering impulse of our mind may ever shut out reason (let us always keep a place for counsel), so, too, ought we to observe that rule in our language, so that neither wrath nor hatred may be aroused, and that we may not show any signs of our greed or sloth.

100. Let our language be of this sort, more especially when we are speaking of the holy Scriptures. For of what ought we to speak more often than of the best subject of conversation, of its exhortation to watchfulness, its care for good instruction? Let us have a reason for beginning, and let our end be within due limits.124    Cic. de Off. I. 37, § 135. For a speech that is wearisome only stirs up anger. But surely it is most unseemly that when every kind of conversation generally gives additional pleasure, this should give cause of offence!

101. The treatment also of such subjects as the teaching of faith, instruction on self-restraint, discussion on justice, exhortation to activity, must not be taken up by us and fully gone into all at one time, but must be carried on in course, so far as we can do it, and as the subject-matter of the passage allows. Our discourse must not be too lengthy, nor too soon cut short, for fear the former should leave behind it a feeling of aversion, and the latter produce carelessness and neglect. The address should be plain and simple, clear and evident, full of dignity and weight; it should not be studied or too refined, nor yet, on the other hand, be unpleasing and rough in style.

CAPUT XXII.

0052DDe cogitationibus, et appetitu: deque decoro sermonis in confabulatione, ac disceptatione servando.

98. Sunt autem gemini motus, hoc est, cogitationum et appetitus: alteri cogitationum, alteri appetitus: 0053A non confusi, sed discreti et dispares. Cogitationes verum exquirere, et quasi emolere muneris habent: appetitus ad aliquid impellit agendum atque excitat. Itaque ipso genere naturae suae et cogitationes tranquillitatem sedationis infundunt, et appetitus motum agendi excutit. Ita ergo informati simus, ut bonarum rerum subeat animum cogitatio: appetitus rationi obtemperet (si vere ut illud decorum custodiamus, animum volumus intendere) ne rationem excludat rei alicujus affectus: sed ratio quid honestati conveniat, examinet.

99. Et quoniam ad conservationem decori 28 spectare diximus, ut sciamus in factis dictisve quis modus: prior autem ordo loquendi quam faciendi est; sermo in duo dividitur, in colloquium familiare, et 0053B in tractatum, disceptationemque fidei atque justitiae. In utroque servandum, ne sit aliqua perturbatio: sed tamquam mitis et placidus, et benevolentiae plenus et gratiae, sine ulla sermo ducatur contumelia. Absit pertinax in familiari sermone contentio; quaestiones enim magis excitare inanes, quam utilitatis aliquid afferre solet. Disceptatio sine ira, suavitas sine amaritudine sit, monitio sine asperitate, hortatio sine offensione. Et sicut in omni actu vitae id cavere debemus, ne rationem nimius animi motus excludat, sed teneamus consilii locum: ita etiam in sermone formulam eam teneri convenit, ne aut ira excitetur, aut odium, aut cupiditatis nostrae, aut ignaviae aliqua exprimamus indicia.

0053C 100. Sit igitur sermo hujusmodi de Scripturis maxime. Quid enim magis nos oportet loqui, quam de conversatione optima, adhortatione observationis, 0054A disciplinae custodia. Habeat caput ejus rationem et finis modum. Sermo enim taediosus iram excitat. Quam vero indecorum, ut cum omnis confabulatio habere soleat incrementum gratiae, habeat naevum offensionis?

101. Tractatus quoque de doctrina fidei, de magisterio continentiae, de disceptatione justitiae, adhortatione diligentiae, non unus semper, sed ut se dederit lectio, nobis et arripiendus est, et prout possumus, prosequendus: neque nimium prolixus, neque cito interruptus; ne vel fastidium derelinquat, vel desidiam prodat atque incuriam. Oratio pura, simplex, dilucida, atque manifesta, plena gravitatis et ponderis: non affectata elegantia, sed non intermissa gratia.