[51]
Is this doubtful, that there is not such an abundance of words,—I
will not say in our language, which is confessedly poor, but not in any other language
either,—as to enable every imaginable thing and circumstance to be expressed by its
own fixed end appropriate name? Is it doubtful that we have no need of words when the matter,
for the sake of which words were first invented, is thoroughly understood? What law, what
resolution of the senate, what edict of a magistrate, what treaty, or covenant, (to return to
men's private affairs,) what will, what judicial decision, what bond, what formula of bargain
or agreement cannot be invalidated and torn to pieces, if we choose to bend facts to words,
and leave out of the question the intention, and design, and authority of those who wrote
them?
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge, B. A. London. Henry G. Bohn, York Street, Covent Garden. 1856.
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