Authors/John of Salisbury/Metalogicon/Liber 1/Caput 25

Chapter 25

Latin	English
CAP. XXV. Laus grammaticae ex Quintiliano.	Chapter 25. A short conclusion concerning the value of grammar.
Sed quia isti hesterni pueri, magistri hodierni, heri vapulantes in ferula, hodie stolati docentes in cathedra, ex ignorantia aliarum, arguunt grammaticam commendari, quid de laude eius inveniatur in libro De institutione oratoris, audiant patienter, et si placet innocentibus grammaticis parcant. Ait ergo: “Ne quis tanquam parva fastidiat grammatices [0856D] elementa: non quia magnae sit operae discernere a vocalibus consonantes, easque ipsas, in semivocalium numerum, mutarumque partiri, sed quia interiora velut sacri huius adeuntibus, apparebit rerum multa subtilitas, quae non modo acuere ingenia puerilia, sed exercere altissimam quoque eruditionem ac scientiam, possit. Quo minus ferendi sunt, qui hanc artem, ut tenuem, atque ieiunam, cavillantur. Quae, nisi oratori futuro fundamenta fideliter iecerit, quidquid superstruxeris, corruet. Haec est igitur liberalium artium prima, necessaria pueris, iucunda senibus, dulcis secretorum comes; et quae sola, in omni studiorum genere, plus habet operis, quam ostentationis.”	Those who only yesterday were mere boys, being flogged by the rod, yet who today are [grave] masters, ensconced in the [doctor’s] chair and invested with the [official] stole, claim that those who praise grammar do so out of ignorance of other studies. Let such patiently heed the commendation of grammar found in the book, On the Education of an Orator. If the latter is acceptable to them, then let them [condescend to] spare innocent grammarians. In the aforesaid work we find this statement: “Let no one despise the principles of grammar as of small account. Not that it is a great thing to distinguish between consonants and vowels, and subdivide the latter into semivowels and mutes. But, as one penetrates farther into this (so to speak) sanctuary, he becomes conscious of the great intricacy of grammatical questions. The latter are not only well calculated to sharpen the wits of boys, but also constitute fit subject matter to exercise the most profound erudition and scientific knowledge.” [Quintilian also says:] “Those who deride this art [of grammar] as petty and thin, deserve even less toleration. For if grammar does not lay beforehand a firm foundation for the orator, the [whole] structure will collapse. Grammar is accordingly first among the liberal arts. Necessary for the young, gratifying to the old, and an agreeable solace in solitude, it alone, of all branches of learning, has more utility than show.