CHAP. 25. Of the Places of Emthymemes that lead to Impossibility.
LEt the first Place be from in∣spection of Times, Actions, or Words, either of the Adversary,
A briefe of the art of rhetorique Containing in substance all that Aristotle hath written in his three bookes of that subject, except onely what is not applicable to the Engligh tongue.
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- A briefe of the art of rhetorique Containing in substance all that Aristotle hath written in his three bookes of that subject, except onely what is not applicable to the Engligh tongue.
- Author
- Aristotle.
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- London :: Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Andrew Crook, and are to be sold at the black Bare in Pauls Church-yard,
- [1637?]
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- Subject terms
- Rhetoric, Ancient.
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http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A21323.0001.001
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"A briefe of the art of rhetorique Containing in substance all that Aristotle hath written in his three bookes of that subject, except onely what is not applicable to the Engligh tongue." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A21323.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 24, 2025.
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Page 138
or of the speaker, or Both. Of the Adversarie; as, Hee sayes hee loves the People, and yet he was in the conspiracy of the Thirty. Of the speaker; as, He sayes I am contentious; and yet I never be∣gan sute. Of Both; as, He never conferr'd any thing to the benefit of the Common-wealth, whereas I have ransomed divers Cittizens with my owne money.
A second from shewing the cause of that which seemed amisse, and serves for men of good re∣putation that are accused; as, The Mother that was accused of Incest for being seene imbracing her Sonne, was absolved as soone as she made appeare; that shee imbraced him upon his arrivall from farre, by way of Saluta∣tion.
A third, from rendring of the cause, as, Leodamas, to whom it was objected, that he had under
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the thirty Tyrants, defaced the Inscription (which the People had set up in a Pillar) of his Ig∣nominy; answered, He had not done it; because it would have beene more to his commodity to let it stand; thereby to indeere him∣selfe to the Tyrants, by the testi∣mony of the Peoples hatred.
A fou••th from better Counsell; as, He might have done better for himselfe; therefore he did not this. But this Place deceives, when the better Counsell comes to minde after the Fact.
A fifth, from the Incompatibili∣ty of the things to be done; as, they that did deliberate whether they should both mourne and sacrifice at the funerall of Leuco∣thea, were told, that if they thought her a Goddesse, they ought not to mourne•• and if they thought her a Mortall, they ought not to sacrifice.
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A sixth (which is proper to Iudiciall Orations) from an In∣ference of Error; as, if he did it not, he was not wise, therefore hee did it.
Enthymemes that leade to Im∣possibility please more than Osten∣sive: for they compare, and put contraries together, whereby they are the better set off, and more conspicuous to the Au∣ditor.
Of all Enthymemes, they be best, which we assent to as soone as heare. For such consent plea∣seth us; and makes us favoura∣ble to the speaker.