Book 3
5.7
Further, a solecism results from not appropriately connecting or joining two words with a word which is equally suitable to both. For instance, in speaking of sound and color, the word seeing should not be used, for it is not suitable to both, whereas perceiving is. It also causes obscurity, if you do not say at the outset what you mean, when you intend to insert a number of details in the middle; for instance, if you say: I intended after having spoken to him thus and thus and in this way to set out instead of I intended to set out after having spoken to him, and then this or that happened, in this or that manner.
6.1
The following rules contribute to loftiness of style. Use of the description instead of the name of a thing; for instance, do not say circle, but a plane figure, all the points of which are equidistant from the center. But for the purpose of conciseness the reverse—use the name instead of the description.
6.2
You should do the same to express anything foul or indecent; if the foulness is in the description, use the name; if in the name, the description.
6.3
Use metaphors and epithets by way of illustration, taking care, however, to avoid what is too poetical.
6.4
Use the plural for the singular, after the manner of the poets, who, although there is only one harbor, say to Achaean harbors, and, Here are the many-leaved folds of the tablet.Eur. IT 727.
6.5
You should avoid linking up, but each word should have its own article: τῆς γυναικὸς τῆς ἡμετέρας. But for conciseness, the reverse: τῆς ἡμετέρας γυναικός.
6.6
Employ a connecting particle or for conciseness omit it, but avoid destroying the connection; for instance having gone and having conversed with him, or, having gone, I conversed with him.
