[4]
And
yet even then, whatever his deficiencies, he spoke
not badly, but merely less well.
Therefore before ever he fall a prey to the ambush
where time lies in wait for him, the orator should
sound the retreat and seek harbour while his ship
is yet intact. For the fruits of his studies will
not be lessened by retirement. Either he will bequeath the history of his own times for the delight
of after ages, or will interpret the law to those
who seek his counsels, as Lucius Crassus proposes
[p. 499]
to do in the de Oratore1 of Cicero, or compose some
treatise on the art of oratory, or give worthy utterance
to the sublimest ideals of conduct.
1 de (Or. I. xlii. 190.
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