Loeb Classics: Cicero

Rhetorica Ad Herennium

Hey everyone,

I have started a new section on this Substack called “Books I’m Reading.” The purpose behind it is to share how I think about the books I am reading across ALL domains.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without reading. Books shape your mind on a fundamental level. Ironically, it’s typically the books you least expect that have the greatest impact.

“You wasted $150,000 on an education you coulda got for $1.50 in late fees at the public library.”

-Good Will Hunting

I am in the process of writing the comprehensive macro report right now but in the meantime, here are my thoughts on the book by Cicero I read today.

---

Cicero: Rhetorica Ad Herennium

You can purchase the book here: Link

You can read it for free here: Link

Section from the book:

The speaker, then, should possess the faculties of Invention, Arrangement, Style, Memory, and Delivery.​ Invention is the devising of matter, true or plausible, that would make the case convincing.​ Arrangement is the ordering and distribution of the matter, making clear the place to which each thing is to be assigned. Style is the adaptation of suitable words and sentences to the matter devised. Memory is the firm retention in the mind of the matter, words, and arrangement. Delivery is the graceful regulation of voice, countenance, and gesture.

All these faculties we can acquire by three means: Theory, Imitation, and Practice.​ By theory is meant a set of rules that provide a definite method and system of speaking. Imitation stimulates us to attain, in accordance with a studied method, the effectiveness of certain models in speaking. Practice is assiduous exercise and experience in speaking.