CHAPTER XXV.

OF THE PLACES OF ENTHYMEMES THAT LEAD TO

IMPOSSIBILITY.

Let the first place be from inspection of _times_, _actions_, or _words_, either of the adversary, or of the speaker, or both. Of the adversary: as, _He says he loves the people, and yet he was in the conspiracy of the Thirty_. Of the speaker; as, _He says I am contentious, and yet I never began suit_. Of both; as, _He never conferred any thing to the benefit of the commonwealth; whereas I have ransomed divers citizens with mine own money_.

A second is from _shewing the cause which seemed amiss_, and serves for men of good reputation that are accused; as, The mother that was accused of incest for being seen embracing her son, was absolved as soon as she made appear that she embraced him upon his arrival from far by way of salutation.

A third, from _rendering of the cause_; as, Leodamas, to whom it was objected, that he had, under the thirty tyrants, defaced the inscription, which the people had set up in a pillar, of his ignominy; answered, _He had not done it; because it would have been more to his commodity to let it stand; thereby to endear himself to the tyrants by the testimony of the people’s hatred_.

A fourth from _better counsel_; as _He might have done better for himself, therefore he did not this_. But this place deceives, when the _better counsel_ comes to mind after the fact.

A fifth from _the incompatibility of the things to be done_; as, They that did deliberate whether they should both mourn and sacrifice at the funeral of Leucothea, were told that, _if they thought her a goddess, they ought not to mourn; and if they thought her a mortal, they ought not to sacrifice_.

A sixth (which is proper to judicial orations) from an _inference of error_; as, _If he did it not, he was not wise; therefore he did it_.

Enthymemes that lead to _impossibility_, please more than _ostensive_. For they compare and put contraries together, whereby they are the better set off and more conspicuous to the auditor.

Of all enthymemes, they be best which we assent to as soon as hear. For such consent pleaseth us, and makes us favourable to the speaker.

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