Book 1
6.42
The same arguments apply to authority. For although the use of words transmitted to us by the best authors may seem to preclude the possibility of error, it is important to notice not merely what they said, but what words they succeeded in sanctioning. For no one to-day would introduce words such as tuburchinabunidus, voracious, or lurchinabundus, guzzling, although they have the authority of Cato; nor make lodices, blankets, masculine, though Pollio preferred that gender; nor say gladiola, small swords, though Messala used this plural, nor parricidatus for parricide, a form which can scarcely be tolerated even in Caelius, nor will Calvus persuade me to speak of collos, necks. Indeed, were these authors alive to-day, they would never use such words. Usage remains to be discussed.
6.43
For it would be almost laughable to prefer the language of the past to that of the present day, and what is ancient speech but ancient usage of speaking? But even here the critical faculty is necessary, and we must make up our minds what we mean by usage.
