Chapter 7 (273-279) Summary

Tisias regarded probability as sufficient to encourage belief that can be instilled in the mind of the audience and in this way accepted. He formulated certain rules of the procedure if two men are brought to trial, where one who is courageous but weak fights another who is strong but coward. The courageous and feeble man robs the other man of his possessions and both are brought to court. Neither of them should speak the truth as denying their actions leads to further lies by the other side and gives the opportunity to disprove what is being said.

To be eloquent in the art of speaking requires the application of analysis, where realities can be classified, various natures considered while both particulars and generalities understood. Probabilities are similar to truth and only those who know the truth can know similarities and...