others had said to him, and he had addressed to them. Hence, it was
concluded that he was not a man of much genius, and that all his
eloquence was the effect of labour. A strong proof of this seemed to
be that he was seldom heard to speak anything extempore, and though the
people often called upon him by name, as he sat in the assembly, to
speak to the point debated, he would not do it unless he came prepared.
For this many of the orators ridiculed him; and Pytheas, in particular,
told him, "That all his arguments smelled of the lamp." Demosthenes
retorted sharply upon him, "Yes, indeed, but your lamp and mine, my
friend, are not conscious to the same labours." To others he did not
pretend to deny his previous application, but told them, "He either
wrote the whole of his orations, or spoke not without first committing
part to writing." He further affirmed, "That this shewed him a good
member of a democratic state; for the coming prepared to the rostrum
was a mark of respect for the people. Whereas, to be regardless of
what the people might think of a man's address shewed his inclination
for oligarchy, and that he had rather gain his point by force than by
persuasion." Another proof they gave us of his want of confidence on
any sudden occasion is, that when he happened to be put into disorder
by the tumultuary behaviour of the people, Demades often rose up to
support him in an extempore address, but he never did the same for
Demades. . . .

Upon the whole it appears that Demosthenes did not take Pericles
entirely for his model. He only adopted his action and delivery, and
his prudent resolutions not to make a practice of speaking from a
sudden impulse, or on any occasion that might present itself; being
persuaded that it was to that conduct he owed his greatness. Yet,
while he chose not often to trust the success of his powers to fortune,
he did not absolutely neglect the reputation which may be acquired by