“The art of reasoning becomes of first importance. In this line antiquity has left us the finest models for imitation; I should consider the speeches of Livy, Sallust, and Tacitus, as pre-eminent specimens of logic, taste, and that sententious brevity which, using not a word to spare, leaves not a moment for inattention to the hearer. Amplification is the vice of modern oratory.” ShouldFirstsArtMomentsLeftLinesModernTasteSpeechModelsLogicImportanceVicesReasoningImitationSparesFinestAntiquityBrevityOratoryInattentionAmplification Author:Thomas Jefferson