Book 1
15.3
Let us first then speak of the laws, and state what use should be made of them when exhorting or dissuading,Although the use of inartificial proofs is almost entirely confined to forensic oratory, they may be used in deliberative oratory. accusing or defending.
15.4
For it is evident that, if the written law is counter to our case, we must have recourse to the general law and equity, as more in accordance with justice;
15.5
and we must argue that, when the dicast takes an oath to decide to the best of his judgement, he means that he will not abide rigorously by the written laws;
15.6
that equity is ever constant and never changes, even as the general law, which is based on nature, whereas the written laws often vary (this is why Antigone in Sophocles justifies herself for having buried Polynices contrary to the law of Creon, but not contrary to the unwritten law: For this law is not of now or yesterday, but is eternal . . . this I was not likely [to infringe through fear of the pride] of any man);The first line is quoted 1.13.2. The second differs somewhat from Soph. Ant. 458, where the passage runs, τούτων ἐγὼ οὐκ ἔμελλον, ἀνδρὸς οὐδενὸς φρόνημα δείσασʼ, ἐν θεοῖσι τὴν δίκην δώσειν (I was not likely, through fear of the pride of any man, to incur the penalty for violating these statutes at the bar of heaven).
