Such compositions follow one set road and this road is neither difficult to find, nor to
 learn, nor to imitate. On the other hand, discourses that are of general import, those
 that are trustworthy, and all of similar nature, are devised and expressed through the
 medium of a variety of forms and occasions of discourse whose opportune use is hard to
 learn, and their composition is more difficult as it is more arduous to practise dignity
 than buffoonery and seriousness than levity. The strongest proof is this: no one who has chosen to praise bumble-bees and salt Cf.
 Plat. Sym. 177b , where there is reference to an
 Encomium of Salt by an unknown writer. See Isoc.
 12.135 . Cf. Lucian’s comic encomium, Praise of the Fly (see
 L.C.L. Lucian, Vol. I, pp. 81 ff.). and kindred topics has never been at a loss
 for words, yet those who have essayed to speak on subjects recognized as good or noble, or
 of superior moral worth have all fallen far short of the possibilities which these
 subjects offer. For it does not belong to the same mentality to do justice to both kinds of subjects; on
 the contrary, while it is easy by eloquence to overdo the trivial themes, it is difficult
 to reach the heights of greatness of the others Cf. Isoc. 12.36 . ; and while on famous subjects one rarely
 finds thoughts which no one has previously uttered, yet on trifling and insignificant
 topics whatever the speaker may chance to say is entirely original. This is the reason why, of those who have wished to discuss a subject with eloquence, I
 praise especially him who chose to write of Helen This
 statement certainly seems to refer to Gorgias, Isoc. 10. (see
 particularly the end of that composition which is translated by Van Hook, Greek
 Life and Thought , pp. 162 ff. See also the Introduction to this
 discourse). , because he has recalled to memory so remarkable a woman, one who in
 birth, and in beauty, and in renown far surpassed all others. Nevertheless, even he
 committed a slight inadvertence—for although he asserts that he has written an encomium of
 Helen, it turns out that he has actually spoken a defense of her conduct! But the composition in defense does not draw upon the same topics as the encomium, nor
 indeed does it deal with actions of the same kind, but quite the contrary; for a plea in
 defense is appropriate only when the defendant is charged with a crime, whereas we praise
 those who excel in some good quality. But that I may not seem to be taking the easiest
 course, criticizing others without exhibiting any specimen of my own The same sentiment if found in Isoc. 11.9 . ,
 I will try to speak of this same woman, disregarding all that any others have said about
 her.