Cicero — An Ancient Roman Worth Emulating
December 23, 2019 at 6:52 p.m.
By -
Unfortunately, this is another year where I continue to be disenchanted with our representatives, their demeanor and longevity in office. Their manner of speaking is lacking as well. In my opinion, there is no one that can be called an orator. (Oratory is defined as the art of speaking in public eloquently or effectively.)
We had been blessed by men from the past who aroused us by their passionate, well-delivered speeches, men like Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, John Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. (Younger readers can see them on YouTube.) Even though there are more than 300 million people alive today in the United States to choose from, none can compare to those gentlemen from yesteryear.
My suggestion for today’s leaders is to read more about Cicero, perhaps the greatest orator of all time. His eloquent speeches and his handbooks on the philosophy of speaking are fortunately still available.
Marcus Tullius Cicero was born Jan. 3, 106 BC. He was a Roman statesman, lawyer and philosopher who served as consul (the highest office) in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order. (Equites were members of the Roman cavalry.)
Cicero could not claim to be a native Roman. In fact, he did not want to. He held Roman citizenship and owed Rome his primary loyalty, but his origins lay in a Volscian tribe that had fought for many wars with the fledgling city-state on the Tiber before accepting defeat, assimilation and ultimately full civic rights: “We consider both the place where we were born and the city that has adopted us as our fatherland.”
His dual nationality is central to an understanding of Cicero’s personality. He had that passionate affection for Rome and its traditions which many newcomers feel when they join an exclusive club.
Early Life
As a student, young Cicero went through the regular curriculum - grammar, rhetoric and the Greek poets and historians. Like many other youthful geniuses, he wrote a good deal of poetry of his own, which his friends, as was natural, thought very highly of at the time, and of which he himself retained the same good opinion to the end of his life, as would have been natural to few men except Cicero. But his more important studies began after he had assumed the “white gown” which marked the emergence of the young Roman from boyhood into more responsible life - at 16 years of age. He then entered on a special education for the bar.
Rhetoric
Cicero is known for his rhetorical skills and published methods. Speakers have been using his suggestions for 2000 years. His focus during debates was on the emotions of the listener - not science or truth. He wrote “Nothing is more important than emotion.”
Repetition was important as well - he believed in repeating points over and over again. He was a firm advocate of vivid language and using words that are simple and clear. Cicero did not hesitate in exaggerating or accusing an opponent as being guilty by association, often without actual evidence. He often conjured up accusations without truth and thus used fear mongering as a strategy.
Cicero was not remiss describing his opponent’s personal defects, appearance or associations. Using catch phrases was another ploy and while many do not survive English translation, one of interest is the Latin phrase “Audaciter territas, humiliter placas” or “You blusteringly threaten - you cringingly beg.”
Many of today’s jingles or aphorisms stem from Cicero’s original ideas. He implored divine providence in his speeches while characterizing his opponents as evil and gave testimony without evidence. Oftentimes Cicero used the technique of diversion and distraction to achieve favors all without being concerned with what is morally or ethically correct. Effectiveness was what mattered. He used humor to his advantage and relied on graphic visual aids in his presentations - somewhat akin to today’s powerpoint.
The key to an effective speech according to Cicero is the delivery, including hand and body gestures - it should be lively and engaging.
Philosophy
The fact that Cicero did not appear to be concerned with what is morally or ethically correct in discourse, his life was quite different, in fact polar opposites. Cicero lived by the principles of honorable behavior based on wisdom, justice, magnanimity and propriety.
His treatise “On Obligations,” has played a seminal role in the formation of ethical values in the western world. It has become the foremost guide to good conduct and has been called the best book on morality and ethics ever written. It should be required reading for politicians of all parties.
Final Thoughts
One way to help encourage and improve public speaking is to offer courses on oratory in our high schools, like the Romans did. Becoming a member of Toastmasters is another good suggestion.
Max Sherman is a medical writer and pharmacist retired from the medical device industry. He has taught college courses on regulatory and compliance issues at Ivy Tech, Grace College and Butler University. Sherman has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge on all levels. Eclectic Science, the title of his column, touches on famed doctors and scientists, human senses, aging, various diseases, and little-known facts about many species, including their contributions to scientific research. He can be reached by email at [email protected].
Unfortunately, this is another year where I continue to be disenchanted with our representatives, their demeanor and longevity in office. Their manner of speaking is lacking as well. In my opinion, there is no one that can be called an orator. (Oratory is defined as the art of speaking in public eloquently or effectively.)
We had been blessed by men from the past who aroused us by their passionate, well-delivered speeches, men like Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, John Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt. (Younger readers can see them on YouTube.) Even though there are more than 300 million people alive today in the United States to choose from, none can compare to those gentlemen from yesteryear.
My suggestion for today’s leaders is to read more about Cicero, perhaps the greatest orator of all time. His eloquent speeches and his handbooks on the philosophy of speaking are fortunately still available.
Marcus Tullius Cicero was born Jan. 3, 106 BC. He was a Roman statesman, lawyer and philosopher who served as consul (the highest office) in the year 63 BC. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order. (Equites were members of the Roman cavalry.)
Cicero could not claim to be a native Roman. In fact, he did not want to. He held Roman citizenship and owed Rome his primary loyalty, but his origins lay in a Volscian tribe that had fought for many wars with the fledgling city-state on the Tiber before accepting defeat, assimilation and ultimately full civic rights: “We consider both the place where we were born and the city that has adopted us as our fatherland.”
His dual nationality is central to an understanding of Cicero’s personality. He had that passionate affection for Rome and its traditions which many newcomers feel when they join an exclusive club.
Early Life
As a student, young Cicero went through the regular curriculum - grammar, rhetoric and the Greek poets and historians. Like many other youthful geniuses, he wrote a good deal of poetry of his own, which his friends, as was natural, thought very highly of at the time, and of which he himself retained the same good opinion to the end of his life, as would have been natural to few men except Cicero. But his more important studies began after he had assumed the “white gown” which marked the emergence of the young Roman from boyhood into more responsible life - at 16 years of age. He then entered on a special education for the bar.
Rhetoric
Cicero is known for his rhetorical skills and published methods. Speakers have been using his suggestions for 2000 years. His focus during debates was on the emotions of the listener - not science or truth. He wrote “Nothing is more important than emotion.”
Repetition was important as well - he believed in repeating points over and over again. He was a firm advocate of vivid language and using words that are simple and clear. Cicero did not hesitate in exaggerating or accusing an opponent as being guilty by association, often without actual evidence. He often conjured up accusations without truth and thus used fear mongering as a strategy.
Cicero was not remiss describing his opponent’s personal defects, appearance or associations. Using catch phrases was another ploy and while many do not survive English translation, one of interest is the Latin phrase “Audaciter territas, humiliter placas” or “You blusteringly threaten - you cringingly beg.”
Many of today’s jingles or aphorisms stem from Cicero’s original ideas. He implored divine providence in his speeches while characterizing his opponents as evil and gave testimony without evidence. Oftentimes Cicero used the technique of diversion and distraction to achieve favors all without being concerned with what is morally or ethically correct. Effectiveness was what mattered. He used humor to his advantage and relied on graphic visual aids in his presentations - somewhat akin to today’s powerpoint.
The key to an effective speech according to Cicero is the delivery, including hand and body gestures - it should be lively and engaging.
Philosophy
The fact that Cicero did not appear to be concerned with what is morally or ethically correct in discourse, his life was quite different, in fact polar opposites. Cicero lived by the principles of honorable behavior based on wisdom, justice, magnanimity and propriety.
His treatise “On Obligations,” has played a seminal role in the formation of ethical values in the western world. It has become the foremost guide to good conduct and has been called the best book on morality and ethics ever written. It should be required reading for politicians of all parties.
Final Thoughts
One way to help encourage and improve public speaking is to offer courses on oratory in our high schools, like the Romans did. Becoming a member of Toastmasters is another good suggestion.
Max Sherman is a medical writer and pharmacist retired from the medical device industry. He has taught college courses on regulatory and compliance issues at Ivy Tech, Grace College and Butler University. Sherman has an unquenchable thirst for knowledge on all levels. Eclectic Science, the title of his column, touches on famed doctors and scientists, human senses, aging, various diseases, and little-known facts about many species, including their contributions to scientific research. He can be reached by email at [email protected].
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092