Do you know why I stand with and reflect?
The opinions of philosophers, physicians, and poets are to be alleged and received in causes {Auctoritates philosophorum, medicorum, et poetarum, sunt in causis allegandæ et tenendæ};
Many men know many things, no one knows every thing {Multi multa, nemo omnia novit; Coke, 4th Inst. 348};
Several eyes see more than one {Plus vident oculi quam oculus};
In many counselors there is safety {Salus ube multi consiliarii; 4 Coke, Inst. 1};
The thing speaks for itself {Res ipsa loquitur};
N.B. Eloquence or oratory.
The act or art of speaking well upon any subject with a view to persuade. It comprehends a good elocution, correct and appropriate expressions uttered with fluency, animation and suitable action. The principal rules of the art, which must be sought for in other works, are summarily expressed in the following lines: “Be brief, be pointed; let your matter stand Lucid in order, solid, and at hand; Spend not your words on trifles, but condense; Strike with the mass of thoughts, not drops of sense; Press to the close with vigor once begun, And leave, (how hard the task!) leave off when done; Who draws a labored length of reasoning out, Put straws in lines for winds to whirl about; Who draws a tedious tale of learning over, Counts but the sands on ocean’s boundless shore; Victory in law is gained as battle’s fought’, Not by the numbers, but the forces brought; What boots success in skirmishes or in fray, If rout and ruin following close the day? What worth a hundred Posts maintained with skill, If these all held, the foe is victor still? He who would win his cause, with power must frame Points of support, and look with steady aim: Attack the weak, defend the strong with art, Strike but few blows, but strike them to the heart; All scattered fires but end in smoke and noise, The scorn of men, the idle play of boys; Keep, then, this first great precept ever near, Short be your speech, your matter strong and clear, Earnest your manner, warm and rich your style, Severe in taste, yet full of grace the while; So may you reach the loftiest heights of fame, And leave, when life is past, a deathless name.” Bouvier’s Law Dictionary, 6th Ed. (C.&P. 1856);
C.&P. 1856 ??
I wonder why there’s no author’s name associated with the poem.
It’s certainly not your typical dictionary definition, and I would tend to think someone would be individually credited for writing it.
I do tend to verbal diarrhea at times, for that, I’m unapologetic. You can click on another post or article. It’s no skin off my arse.
Did you write that, MIllard? I wouldn’t classify that as “verbal diarrhea”. There’s an artful use of the language in there.
It’s from: Bouvier’s Law Dictionary, 6th Ed. (C.&P. 1856);