"This gives Life and Spirit to every thing that is spoken, and has a natural Tendency to make a deeper impression on the Minds of Men."
— Watts, Isaac (1674-1748)
Author
Work Title
Place of Publication
London
Publisher
Printed for James Brackstone
Date
1741
Metaphor
"This gives Life and Spirit to every thing that is spoken, and has a natural Tendency to make a deeper impression on the Minds of Men."
Metaphor in Context
MEMORY is very useful to those who speak, as well as to those who learn. It assists the Teacher and the Orator, as well as the Scholar or the Hearer. The best Speeches and Instructions are almost lost, if those who hear them immediately forget them. And those who are called to speak in publick are much better heard and accepted, when they can deliver their Discourse by the Help of a lively Genius and a ready Memory, than when they are forced to read all that they would communicate to their Hearers. Reading is certainly a heavier Way of the Conveyance of our Sentiments; and there are very few meer Readers who have the Felicity of penetrating the Soul and awakening the Passions of those who hear, by such a Grace and Power of Oratory as the Man who seems to talk every Word from his very Heart, and pours out the Riches of his own Knowledge upon the People round about him by the Help of a free and copious Memory. This gives Life and Spirit to every thing that is spoken, and has a natural Tendency to make a deeper impression on the Minds of Men: It awakens the dullest Spirits, causes them to receive a Discourse with more Affection and Pleasure, and adds a singular Grace and Excellency both to the person and his Oration.
(pp. 246-7)
(pp. 246-7)
Categories
Provenance
Searching and Reading in Google Books
Citation
32 entries in ESTC (1741, 1743, 1753, 1754, 1761, 1768, 1773, 1782, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1798, 1799, 1800).
Most text drawn from Google Books. See The Improvement of the Mind: or, a Supplement to the Art of Logick: Containing a Variety of Remarks and Rules for the Attainment and Communication of Useful Knowledge, in Religion, in the Sciences, and in Common Life. By I. Watts, D.D. (London: Printed for James Brackstone, at the Globe in Cornhill, 1741). <Link to ESTC><Link to 2nd edition in Google Books>
Most text drawn from Google Books. See The Improvement of the Mind: or, a Supplement to the Art of Logick: Containing a Variety of Remarks and Rules for the Attainment and Communication of Useful Knowledge, in Religion, in the Sciences, and in Common Life. By I. Watts, D.D. (London: Printed for James Brackstone, at the Globe in Cornhill, 1741). <Link to ESTC><Link to 2nd edition in Google Books>
Date of Entry
02/05/2014
