Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator), 5.7.25

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[25] But at times, just as we have to praise individual witnesses, so we may have to demolish them, whether their evidence has been given in documentary form or they have been summoned to appear in person. This was easier and of more frequent occurrence in the days when the examination of the witnesses was not deferred till after the conclusion of the pleading. ¹ With regard to what we should say against individual witnesses, no general rules can be laid down: it will depend on the personality of the witness.

Institutio Oratoria. Quintilian. Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator). Cambridge, Mass.. 1920-1922.

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Current edition Perseus

Institutio Oratoria (English) (Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, translator. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.)

Editions (1)

Institutio Oratoria Perseus (Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, editor. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.) — 5.7.25 focus

[25] verum interim et singulos ut exornare, ita destruere contingit, aut recitatis in actione testimoniis ¹ aut testibus nominatis. quod iis temporibus, quibus testis non post finitas actiones rogabatur, et facilius et frequentius fuit. quid autem in quemque testium dicendum sit, sumi nisi ex ipsorum personis non potest.

Notes on the current edition

Institutio Oratoria

1. It is not clear to what Quintilian refers. There are, it is true, passages in Cicero where the orator speaks of evidence as already given, but the speeches where these references are found are all second pleadings.

Quintilian Institutio Oratoria 5.7.25

Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator)

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