Kitap 8
6.73
The methods of hyperbole by attenuation are the same in number. Compare the Virgilian Ecl. iii. 103. Describing a flock of starved sheep. Scarce cling they to their bones, or the lines from a humorous work Unknown. of Cicero's, Fundum Vetto vocat quem possit mittere funda; Ni tamen exciderit, qua cava funda patet. Vetto gives the name of farm to an estate which might easily be hurled from a sling, though it might well fall through the hole in the hollow sling, so small is it. But even here a certain proportion must be observed. For although every hyperbole involves the incredible, it must not go too far in this direction, which provides the easiest road to extravagant affectation.
6.74
I shrink from recording the faults to which the lack of this sense of proportion has given rise, more especially as they are so well known and obvious. It is enough to say that hyperbole lies, though without any intention to deceive. We must therefore be all the more careful to consider how far we may go in exaggerating facts which our audience may refuse to believe. Again, hyperbole will often cause a laugh. If that was what the orator desired, we may give him credit for wit; otherwise we can only call him a fool.
