Explanation: monuments elevate the spirit of the people. Essay “On love for the fatherland and national pride. Semantic model of "properties"

General rhetoric. Laws of rhetoric

Rhetoric- a philological discipline that studies the art of speech, the rules of constructing artistic speech, oratory, and eloquence. Originally the science of oratory, it was later sometimes understood more broadly as the theory of prose or the theory of argumentation.

Laws of rhetoric- techniques used in speech to achieve a general rhetorical ideal.

· The law of harmonious dialogue - to achieve harmony between the speaker and the audience, dialogization of speech is necessary.

Its implementation is facilitated by the following principles:

1. Attention to the addressee

2. Proximity of the content of speech to the interests of the addressees

3. Specificity in the presentation of the material

4. The principle of movement - the audience should feel that the speech occurs in time and space

· The law of advancement and orientation of the addressee - the speaker must orient the listener well in the space of his speech

· The law of emotional speech.
To reach it, trails can be used.

· The law of pleasure - both the speaker and the audience receive satisfaction.

· 36. Rhetorical canon: invention. Topeka. Types of tops.

· Rhetorical canon - This is a system of special signs and rules that originate in ancient rhetoric. By following these rules, you can find answers to the following questions: what to say? in what order? How ( what words)?

· In other words, the rhetorical canon traces the path from thought to word, describing three stages: invention of content,location of the invention in the right order and verbal V expressions e.

rhetorical canon

intervention.



· In antiquity, a unique algorithm of speech-thinking activity developed, called “ rhetorical canon"(sample), consisting of five parts, five stages, five types of movement from thought to word. Its classic form is found in Aristotle's Rhetoric:

· 1. Invention (lat. inventio) – invention, finding content.

· 2. Disposition (lat. dispositio) - the location of the found material.

· 3. Elocution (lat. elokutio) - decoration, verbal presentation of thoughts.

· 4. Memorization (lat. memorio) - remembering, memorizing speech.

· 5. Pronunciation (lat. actio hipocrisis) - acting performance. Later this stage was called the “oratorio”.

· Let's first consider the first stage - intervention.

· The invention aimed the speaker at a thorough search for the topic and content of the speech based on the purpose of the speech. In ancient times, such methods of searching for a topic were called as close observation of oneself, people and things, reflection on knowledge and careful consideration of thoughts, study of samples, and exercises. Scheme of invention - morals, arguments, passions. Manners are essentially the use of impressions made on an audience. Morals determined the requirements for the personality of the speaker, for his behavior, which allows him to make a favorable impression on the audience and establish contact with it. The Greeks considered seriousness, goodwill, and modesty to be the virtues of an orator.

· The fan conveys the presence of many causes for a phenomenon and a lot of consequences from one event or phenomenon:

· reason

· consequence cause

· reason

· reason

· cause effect

· reason

· When you come to the doctor, complaining of heart pain, he tries to find the cause of the disease in your heredity, lifestyle, habits, etc. Your reasoning on the topic: “A book is the best gift” will be full of cause-and-effect justifications for this thesis.

· “Chain” allows, constantly moving from cause to effect, to draw a certain conclusion:

· cause effect effect effect.

· reason reason

· An example of a “chain” reaction is found in S. Marshak: “The horse went lame - the commander was killed; The cavalry is defeated - the army flees. The enemy enters the city, not sparing prisoners, because there was no nail in the forge.”

· 7. Top “circumstances”

· This top expresses the place, time, conditions of the action. If the top “cause – effect” is most characteristic of reasoning, then without a semantic model of “circumstances” the narrative is unthinkable: “At half past eleven from the north-west, from the direction of the village of Chmarovka, a young man of about twenty-eight entered Stargorod,” - this is how it first appears in the novel by Ilf and Petrov “The Twelve Chairs” Ostap Bender.

· The “circumstances” model helps answer the questions: where? When? under what conditions? how?

· 8. Top “example”

· This top represents a specific fact taken by the speaker from his own experience, the experience of other people, from history, but also from folklore sources, fiction, and Holy Scripture. This semantic model is based on the practicality and pragmatism of our thinking, on trust in what was in reality itself, and not acquired in the course of reasoning.

· Similar situations are borrowed from fiction, serving as confirmation of the generality and repeatability of the circumstances under consideration. Examples should be given from an area familiar to listeners and accessible to their level of perception. The example may be a single one, but more often the speaker uses several examples to support his point of view.

· 9. Top “certificate”

· The top “testimony” has another name – “appeal to authorities.” These are most often quotes and sayings belonging to authoritative people, those whom we trust and admire. They can be prominent scientists, famous public and political figures, poets, writers, philosophers, ancient sages. For example: “As N. Karamzin said, monuments elevate the spirit of the people.”

· Proverbs and sayings are often used as evidence as expressions of folk wisdom.

· No less convincing is a quotation from the Holy Scriptures, which is introduced into the text with an indication of the source: “The Holy Scriptures say: blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs will be the kingdom of heaven,” etc.

· 10. Top "name"

· This semantic model turns us to the internal form of the word, to the origin (etymology) of the word. So, to understand what “education” is, it will help to find out what “image” is – the concept underlying the word “education”. Then education will appear before us as “exhibiting a certain sample,” an image in the likeness of which the final product of education is formed; as a certain ideal model of knowledge towards which the teacher’s efforts are directed.

· We will better understand what Vladivostok is as a city guarding Russia’s borders between East and West if we decompose its name into two components: to own and the East, to own the East.

· 37. Rhetorical canon: disposition. Composition of oratorical speech.

· Disposition teaches the location of all the elements found during the intervention. As a result complex process text is created. Rhetorical text is specially constructed in contrast to spontaneous oral text that is born in ordinary conversation.

· Rhetorical text, in the words of Yu.M. Lotman, strives to turn into one big word. It represents a certain integrity, the unity of all elements, since each of its elements bears the stamp of this whole and at the same time influences the entire text, largely predetermining the choice of a particular word, precisely this and not another arrangement of all its parts .

· The word “text” comes from the Latin textum - fabric, connection, connection, which best characterizes a rhetorical text.

· In a rhetorical text, several layers can be distinguished, which are intertwined, interpenetrate each other, and embrace the entire text. This is especially evident in oratory. N.N. Kokhtev in his work “Oratorical Speech: Style and Composition” (Moscow, 1992) identifies, for example, the following layers in the text of oratorical speech:

· · ideological and thematic, permeating the text from beginning to end, which reflects the theme and main idea;

· · concrete conceptual, or factual, conveying content;

· · structural-logical, conveying the internal logic of the text;

· · compositional, from introduction to conclusion;

· · stylistic, or linguistic, direct verbal texture, taking into account the characteristics of the genre of speech and the communication situation.

· A rhetorical text is characterized by such properties as preparedness, thematic specificity, organization, coherence, expediency, pragmatism, that is, an orientation that evokes certain behavior, given emotions and feelings in listeners. In addition, they also note its dynamism, evaluativeness, individuality, combination of rationality and emotionality, and the oral form is also distinguished by its temporal extent and irreversibility.

· A rhetorical text is a product of verbal and mental activity, and its construction is the skillful organization of all its structural components.

· Today, the composition of the text is organized according to a fairly stable pattern: introduction, main part and conclusion. In the introduction, the beginning is highlighted (the first one or two sentences), and in the conclusion, the ending.

· Methods for deploying the main part may be different. Thus, N.N. Kokhtev names the following methods:

· · transitive, that is, a sequential transition from one topic to another;

· · extensive, in which the main idea is formulated at the beginning, but approximately, later it is substantiated, enriched, developed, at the end of the speech the speaker returns to the main idea;

· · parallel – if there is a common idea, the topics develop independently, without turning into one another;

· · integral, or mixed (p.65).

· 1. subject-logical, characteristic, as a rule, of texts of scientific and official business styles. In such a text, the object of description is revealed through a logical hierarchy: general - particular, subordination - subordination, cause - effect, etc. Official business written text usually has a sample; a significant part of such text contains certain clichés, standard compositional and linguistic means.

· 2. “braided”, characteristic of the journalistic style. There are many techniques for creating braided text. For example, with a single theme, with the integrity of the text, there are many different lines that grow from one another. Such texts can start from the end and end with the beginning. At the same time, one should keep in mind the high emotionality and expressiveness of such a text, which, together with the unusual structure, create the illusion for the reader or listener that the text is being born literally before his eyes.

· 3. structure of a free figurative-associative type. Such texts are characteristic of an artistic style; they require special skill.

· Such a classification of the content structure of texts most likely applies to its written forms, but can also be applied to texts of monologue oral speech.

· The given compositional schemes are very abstract and do not take into account the fact that the content and structure of the text are closely related to the subject of speech and the methods of its comprehension, which manifest themselves in various functional and semantic types of text - in description, narration and reasoning.

· Description – this is one of the functional and semantic types of text that reveals the characteristic properties and qualities of objects and phenomena. Accordingly, for the description, the speaker resorts to the tops “definition”, “properties”, “genus - species”, “whole - parts” and some others. The basic rules of description require the ability to highlight an object, correctly select the main, characteristic feature that determines the essence of the object (top “properties”), find an exact comparison (top “comparison”), and take care not only of the accuracy of the image, but also of emotionality and imagery. The beginning of the description can be different: a direct indication of the object, an appeal to it, a designation of the place where it is located, etc. The methods for deploying the middle part are also varied, but general rules They say: place the most interesting and attractive thing in the subject of speech towards the end, be able to separate the main thing from the secondary. The end of the description often contains the speaker's emotional assessment of the subject.

· Narration – this is one of the functional-semantic types of text, which is a statement of events. A narrative, or story, also consists of several parts, which are usually called exposition (preparation for the story), plot (beginning), development of action until the climax (middle of the story) and denouement (end). It is clear that despite the apparent simplicity and uniformity of the structure, the specific content of this scheme is unusually diverse. When telling stories, it is necessary to remember the main principles of creating an interesting, captivating narrative, such as liveliness, expressiveness, fascination, brevity, believability, increasing interest to the climax and denouement.

· Reasoning – this is one of the functional-semantic types of text, which represents the formulation and proof of a certain thesis. Reasoning is proving your opinion. Reasoning can proceed from the general to the particular (deductive method) and from the particular to the general (inductive method). As an example of the composition of a text - reasoning, one can cite the structure of a strict khria (reasoning on a moral topic), its deductive sample, which consists of 8 parts:

· 1) beginning (attack, that is, announcement of the topic);

· 2) paraphrase, or exposition (explanation of the topic);

· 3) cause (based on several tops “cause” and “effect”);

· 4) opposite (the top “opposition” is used);

· 5) similarity (the topic is confirmed using the “comparison” top);

· 6) example;

· 7) certificate;

· 8) conclusion.

· A detailed commentary on strict chria is given in the textbook by A.K. Michalska “Fundamentals of Rhetoric” on pp. 220 – 223.

· Among the basic principles of creating an argumentative text are the principles of the correct choice of argumentation strategy, selection of arguments, assessment of their strength, and location in the text.

· At the same time, it should be noted that a rhetorical text is rarely either only a description, or only a narration, or only a reasoning. Most often, these three functional and semantic types interact in the structure of a complete text; their unification and transitions from one type to another require a certain skill.

· Let us now turn to the sequence of actions when creating text.

· A rhetorical text is created in several stages:

· 1) preparatory. At this stage, there is an analysis and assessment of the audience to whom one is speaking, a search for ideas, determination of the purpose and objectives of the speech, selection of material and its comprehension, development of the concept of the speech, selection of arguments.

· 2) the stage of the primary text, at which a “draft” version of the text is created, which is best put on the table for a while, since flaws that are invisible at first glance are quite possible;

· 3) pause. This stage should not be long, no more than a few days;

· 4) stage of self-examination;

· 5) final, at which arguments are clarified, discarded, added, the content is deepened, language means and narrative style are adjusted, etc. At the end of the work, a “highlight” is thought out, making the beginning of the speech the most effective.

· Difficulties in creating a primary text are associated with a shortage (or excess) of information for the implementation of a specific plan, with the search for the most dynamic beginning and convincing ending, with the logical placement of material, with assessing the strength of arguments, their selection, and placing them in a certain sequence; with the verbal expression of “condensed quanta of thought” (“torment of phrase”), with the search for linguistic means for stylistically adequate expression of thoughts.

· These difficulties explain the shortcomings that should be eliminated at the second stage: information redundancy of the text, weakness of the introductory and final parts, weakness of the arguments or their incorrect placement, etc.

· Work on any text should begin with an assessment of the audience to whom you will speak; it largely determines the topic, the way the text is developed, the selection of material, and its “decoration”.

· The written primary version should be subjected to “self-examination”. The following generally accepted criteria for evaluating a text can be specified:

· 1. Compliance with the situation and purpose of communication, the composition of the audience;

· 2. Information value;

· 3. Compliance of the content with the reality that the text reflects;

· 4. Optimal completeness and speech conciseness in relation to communication conditions;

· 5. Validity of emotional and evaluative accents;

· 8. Justification of the compositional structure from the point of view of genre, addressee, communication conditions;

· 7. Stylistic and linguistic consistency;

· 8. Quality of external design.

· The speech is usually structured according to a traditional three-part composition: introduction, main part, conclusion. This composition is traditional, the audience is waiting for just such a composition. It is this construction of the speech that makes it easier for the audience to perceive the oral presentation.

· Composition of a speech

· The most common speech structure is the structure consisting of an introduction, a body and a conclusion. The composition of the speech varies depending on the topic, purpose, and composition of the audience.

· 1.1 Preparation for the performance

· The speech is written, the speaker checks for any deviations from the topic, the connection between parts, logic and argumentation, accessibility of the text, and whether the text is loaded with illustrative material.

· Introduction

· Attention is direction mental activity and its concentration on the object. Attention can be involuntary - that which arises unintentionally (for example, to the siren of a fire truck, lightning outside the window, a moving object in a lecture hall, etc.), voluntary - consciously regulated concentration on an object, and post-voluntary - supported by interest (for example, began to read a book and got carried away). In the audience it is necessary to call first voluntary attention. The introduction accomplishes this task.

· Introduction is a mandatory element of any public speech. There are two parts to the introduction: the beginning and the beginning. In a well-prepared audience, the speech can be minimal, consisting only of the beginning, without the beginning; in a less prepared audience, the introductory part should be more detailed and include a beginning.

· The beginning is needed in order to capture the primary attention of the audience. It is a brief verbal approach to a topic, and it may not be related to the topic of the speech, but relate to the conditions in which the meeting with the audience takes place, the degree of their organization, the time of the start of the speech, the previous speech or speeches (the last type of opening allows the speaker to convey the idea about the logicality of the structure of all speeches, shows the place of this speech in the system of others that have already been listened to or will be listened to again, creates the impression of the well-coordinated work of the lecturers, of the rational distribution of topics and problems between them)

· The beginning is already an approach to the topic of the speech. In the beginning, you need to identify in one way or another the problem that you will reveal and connect it with the interests of the listeners. The plot should grab the attention of the listeners.

·
Main part

· In order to effectively convey main idea before the listeners, the speaker must formulate it. Therefore, you need to take care in advance about the verbal formulation of the main idea: express it in words, if possible, briefly and clearly. P. Soper noted that “the speaker himself sometimes does not know exactly what his goal is until he fully formulates it.” On the other hand, research by T.M. Dridze convincingly showed that the third part of any audience, in principle, understands everything well, but cannot independently formulate the main idea of ​​the speaker, unable to highlight this idea in the speech.

· A verbal formulation of the main idea of ​​a speech is necessary for both the speaker himself and his audience.

· 1.4 Final part of the speech

· The final part has two main functions: to recall the main idea and explain what needs to be done with it.

· The main disadvantages of the composition are a violation of the logical sequence in the presentation of the material, overloading the text with logical reasoning, lack of evidence, and a large number of issues raised.

· The main part leads to the conclusion. If the speaker mumbled the speech, did not meet the deadline, or did not draw a conclusion, then the purpose of the speech was not achieved. The end of the speech must be logically connected with its beginning. In the author's speech, the law of the region applies, so the conclusion should summarize the thoughts that were expressed in the main part of the speech.

· In the final part, the speaker can outline the tasks that arise from the content of the speech and determine the positions of the listeners. The last words of the speaker are especially important. They depend on the type of speech. A political speech can end with an appeal, a slogan, an appeal. In a report on political theme will contain suggestions for improvements or changes, concluding an academic lecture, the speaker uses the technique of repetition. The speech may also end with a rhetorical question or statement.

· In addition, at the end of the speech, the speaker can again repeat the main points, give the audience a compliment, cause laughter, use a quotation, create a punchline.

· 38. Rhetorical canon: elocution. Trope. Types of trails.

· Elocution is a section of the classical rhetorical canon that deals with the style of presentation, grammatical structures varying degrees of difficulty, shapes and trails

· First of all, it should be said about the means of “decorating” speech, influencing the audience, “capturing” the thoughts and feelings of listeners, making the speaker’s speech more expressive. Such means are primarily figures and paths.

· Trope(Greek tropos - turn, turn of speech) is a change in the basic meaning of a word, a transfer of the name from a traditionally designated object (or phenomenon) to another, connected by semantic relations with the first.

· Trails

· Metaphor is rightfully considered the queen of tropes. Metaphor - this is the use of a word denoting an object (phenomenon, action, sign) to figuratively name another object, similar in some way to the first. In metaphor, transfer is carried out by similarity. Objects can resemble each other in shape, function, color, impression, etc.: a person’s nose is the bow of a ship, fast running is a fast mind, a janitor sweeps the street - windshield wipers clean a car window. A metaphor that has become a fact of language is reproducible, its imagery is not perceived by the speaker as something special, our speech is full of “erased” metaphors (the sun has set, it is raining, the tail of the train). Expressive speech is made by “animated”, played out familiar metaphors and new ones created in individual, including poetic or oratorical speech. These metaphors are often picked up and people begin to actively use them. Thus, modern parliamentary eloquence is full of such expressions as “virus of sovereignties”, “strike syndrome”, “paralysis of power”, “inflationary mine”, “under fire of criticism”, etc.

Metaphorical nature different types eloquence. For example, a judicial speech: “The poison with which a repeat offender poisons the psychology of youth is extremely dangerous.”

A type of metaphor is personification - transfer of human (person) properties to inanimate objects. The technique of personification is widespread in oral folk art and in lyric poetry, less often used in oratory: “Our society is gradually recovering from an allergy to the market” (from a deputy’s speech).

· Another no less significant trope is metonymy , that is, the use of a word denoting an object for the figurative name of another object associated with the first by contiguity, “in the neighborhood” (by location, by time, by cause-and-effect relationships, etc.): “London presented alternative draft agreement."

· A type of metonymy - synecdoche , transfer, which is based on the relationship between the part and the whole. For example: “Most of all, save your penny,” or “The wrong student went today, the wrong one.”

· Irony - a trope consisting of using a word in a sense opposite to the literal one, for the purpose of subtle or hidden ridicule. The mockery is deliberately expressed in form positive characteristics:

· “The food program was successfully implemented, and we began to go slightly hungry.”

· Hyperbola , or exaggeration, is a transfer of value along a quantitative basis. In everyday speech, we resort to hyperbole without knowing it: “I’m so tired, I’m just falling off my feet.” Hyperboles are not uncommon in prose and poetry, and in oratory they are more often found in ceremonial speeches: “Moscow - best city earth!

· Opposite of hyperbole litotes - an understatement (remember the fairy-tale boy-thumb).

· Let us point out some more means of verbal expression, the status of which in relation to tropes has not yet been determined - the epithet and periphrase.

· Epithet - a colorful, bright, figurative definition of an object, most often expressed by an adjective: velvet eyes, a living trace, amber wine, etc. At the same time, the main features of the epithet are not so much a figurative (metaphorical) meaning, but rather a focus on the image of an object, showing its most significant, significant features in this particular case: “The tavern does not need sober and restrained: its friends are violent and weak-willed revelers” ( from the speech of N.F. Plevako).

· Periphrase, paraphrase - a trope that descriptively expresses one concept using several: “plunged into thought” instead of “thought.”

A type of periphrase is euphemism - a word or expression used instead of indecent, rude, forbidden (“ritual services” instead of “funeral”): “But is this the only, to put it mildly, invention of Natalya Fedorovna?”

· The tropes are based on comparison, being their premise, however comparison - this is also an independent, extremely common technique: “The monotonous voice of the lecturer lulled me like a lullaby,” “And the way he speaks, it’s as if a river is murmuring,” “The shadows of the evening are thinner than a hair,” “The crowd looked like a gray bird.”

· An excellent oratorical tool is an extended comparison, which allows you to paint a vivid picture. An example is the description of A.P.’s salon. Sherer in the novel by L.N. Tolstoy "War and Peace"

39. Techniques for attracting and maintaining audience attention

Dialogization (any topic, its individual particular aspects can be designated in the form of an interrogative sentence or question-answer unity);

Use of address;

Alternating complex and simple material;

Use of humor;

Attracting life experience.

40. Preparing for a public speaking performance(rya with cr 229)

Quite often, before public speaking, people experience a feeling of uncertainty and are afraid of meeting with listeners. Preparing for a speech is a very important and responsible task in a speaker’s activity. In preparation for public speaking you need to study your audience, think about the needs and wishes of listeners, and this often provides half the success. You need to read as much literature as possible on the topic of the speech, since information known to the speaker, but not stated

in his speech, will give it persuasiveness and brightness.

Educational and methodological manual for teachers and students

A. A. Sabanaeva, teacher of Russian language and literature, State Educational Institution Secondary School No. 655, Primorsky District, St. Petersburg

LESSON 4. THESIS. ANTITHESIS. TYPES OF ARGUMENTS

Thesis is a briefly formulated idea, judgment, the main idea of ​​the text. To formulate a thesis means you need to ask a question, give a direct answer to it and, based on this answer, make a judgment. There may be several questions. The more questions, the more approaches to the topic.

Example: Chatsky in A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.” 1. Who main character comedy "Woe from Wit"? – Chatsky is the main character of the comedy. 2. Why does Chatsky come into conflict with Famus society? – Society is conservative, and Chatsky is an exponent of progressive views, so conflict is inevitable. 3. What advanced ideas does the image of Chatsky express? – Chatsky is an exponent of the ideas of the Decembrists.

The answer to the last question is the thesis.

A thesis is an affirmative sentence that contains one answer to the questions in the text. (Can be converted to interrogative sentence with the word why. Why is Chatsky a spokesman for the ideas of the Decembrists?) The thesis should be formulated clearly and clearly in the form of a simple two-part. The subject in it names the topic of the text, and the predicate is the “new” that will be said on this topic. It is impossible to formulate a thesis without a predicate.! It is advisable not to use words in a figurative sense in the formulation of the thesis.

Task 1. Formulate a thesis by asking at least three questions about the topic: “Molchalin in A. S. Griboedov’s comedy “Woe from Wit.”

Task 2. Formulate a thesis on the topic “Dream and reality in the life of Oblomov.”

Argumentation is the provision of evidence, explanations, examples to substantiate any thought (thesis).

Arguments are evidence given to support a thesis: facts, examples, statements, explanations. Arguments can be strong, weak or invalid. “Strong” arguments must be truthful and based on authoritative sources; accessible and simple; consistent with common sense, reflect objective reality.

An example of the argument “Monuments elevate the spirit of the people.”

Thesis: Monuments elevate the spirit of the people.

Arguments: (why the thesis is true) – Monuments remind of the glorious deeds of ancestors + example. – Monuments instill in younger generations the desire to imitate the great past + example. – Monuments encourage the spirit in difficult years of disasters + example.

Conclusion: The duty of every patriot is to participate as much as possible in perpetuating the memory of their ancestors. The responsibility of the entire society is to take care of the preservation of old monuments and the construction of new ones.

Task 3. Similarly to this diagram, expand the thesis “Music is a powerful means of spiritual enrichment.” Use the following arguments: music makes people better; music brings comfort; music awakens good feelings. Draw your own conclusion. State the problem.

Task 4. Similarly to this diagram, expand the thesis “A person has the right to make mistakes.” Arguments against must be correct!

Task 5. Partially agree with the thesis below, partially object, giving arguments for and against: Watching TV is a useless activity.

Task 6. Find Bazarov’s statements in Turgenev’s novel “Fathers and Sons” that you would like to argue with. Refute them. For example: – “romanticism, nonsense, rot, artistry”; “A decent chemist is twenty times more useful than any poet”; “Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is a worker in it,” etc.

Task 7. Expand the thesis “Reality in Oblomov’s life is the embodiment of a dream.”

Working with antithesis and problem

Antithesis is a thought opposite to the thesis. For example, if the thesis is: “Man is a spiritual being,” then the antithesis will be: “Man is not a spiritual being.”

They also say: stupid as a goose... (antithesis). And the goose knows its owners by its gait. For example, you return home in the middle of the night. You walk down the street, open the gate, walk through the yard - the geese are silent, as if they are not there. And the stranger entered the yard - immediately there was a commotion of goose: “Ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha! Who is this hanging around other people's houses? So there is no smarter bird in the world! (thesis)".

In the text we take the antithesis to its logical conclusion and become convinced of its incorrectness.

Task 8. Formulate an antithesis to the thesis “Music is a powerful means of spiritual enrichment.”

Task 9. Try to refute Pechorin’s thesis about friendship by putting forward an antithesis. (Pechorin’s diary entry from May 13: “Of two friends, one is always the slave of the other”)

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MEANING MODEL "DEFINITION".

The structure of the top is clearly shown here: to define the subject of speech means to name common gender(oak - tree, etc.) and species, specific to him difference from other objects of the same kind (sign, signs): (oak - the most beautiful forest tree our climate etc.).

Often there are also metaphorical definitions, figurative definitions built on the similarity of objects (“Life is a Dream” is the title of a play by the 17th century Spanish playwright Calderon); metonymic definitions built on the contiguity of objects (“What is autumn? This is the sky, the crying sky underfoot.” -Yu. Shevchuk).

Excellent examples of creative, good, truly rhetorical definitions can be found in collections of aphorisms, catchphrases, and literary texts.

Such definitions differ in the following: 1) they always contain an element of surprise, semantic play, and are often paradoxical; 2) they are often figurative (metaphorical); 3) they are presented by the speaker confidently, emphatically boldly.

The art of a sharp word, an aphorism, as well as the art of conversation in general, largely depends on the ability to give clear and rhetorically perfect definitions that reflect an insightful thought in a concise and complete form.

Famous European wits became famous for the art of paradox, which often takes the form of a definition. This was the English writer Oscar Wilde. His Lord Henry (The Picture of Dorian Gray) says: I adore simple pleasures, they are the last refuge for complex natures.



And here is a fragment from the book of the French writer Andre Maurois. This text as a whole is organized way(metaphor), given in the form of a definition: “Conversation is a building erected together. In constructing phrases, the interlocutors should not lose sight of the general configuration of the building; this is how an experienced mason conducts his masonry. Minds inclined to picky methodicalness are better off avoiding construction in side if they are not able to decorate the façade with paradox."

MEANING MODEL "THE WHOLE - PARTS".

This means that the subject of speech (idea) needs to: a) be considered as Part some the whole And reason also And about this whole thing.(If we are talking about Moscow, it is natural to talk about Russia; if the subject of speech is a gazebo, we can also talk about the garden.); b) consider elements, parts, components of the subject of speech, And speak about them separately

The law of the work of thought is its movement from the whole to the parts of the object and again to the whole.

MEANING MODEL "PROPERTIES"

This signs(signs) the subject of speech, its qualities, its functions, its characteristic actions. The ability to describe well implies the ability to highlight the most important properties and characteristic features subject of speech.

To correctly and successfully use the top “properties”, you need to: a) select only essential, characteristic signs, functions, qualities of an object, and those that make it truly interesting as a subject of speech for both the speaker and the addressee; b) do not avoid the expression own assessments, emotions.

MEANING MODEL "COMPARISON"

It is one of the most important models for the organization of thinking and speech, the “reproduction of ideas.” “Everything is known by comparison” is a catchphrase that reflects the universality of this model for understanding the world and speaking about it.

Search general between objects and phenomena, as well as the discovery different and opposite, allows a person to structure the environment, classify the endless variety of things, and thus master diversity, make the world accessible to knowledge.

1.Comparison- search for similarities (analogy). The need for comparison in good speech is evidenced by ancient classics. One thing is known through another, demonstrated through another, if it has something in common with it.

2.Opposition - the search for something different (opposite) by colliding one with another, which has opposite properties. From this collision a special rhetorical figure is born - antithesis. Contrast is widely used to solve all rhetorical problems - and for description, and for reasoning, and for proof.

Example: fragment from Cicero's speech in defense of Sextus Roscius the American:

“It remains for us, the judges, to consider which of the two, one might think, most likely killed Sextus Roscius: is it the one to whom wealth came with this death, or the one to whom poverty? Is it the one who was not rich before, or the one who after he became a beggar? Is it the one who, inflamed by greed, rushes at his own people, or the one who has been alien to acquisitiveness all his life, knowing only the income brought by labor? Is it the one who is the most daring of all in his trade, or the one who, unaccustomed to the forum and courts, to be afraid here not only of the benches, but of the city itself?” (In this text, contrast is used to invent content for the purpose of proof.)

MEANING MODEL "CAUSE AND EFFECT"

Cause-and-effect relationships are especially important in argumentative speech during reasoning and proof. The ability to discover cause-and-effect relationships between phenomena, clearly show them in speech, using them as a living and fertile source of content invention, is one of the main advantages of a good speaker.

Example: Cicero's first speech against Catiline (a patrician and senator who organized a conspiracy against the republic in 63 BC). The semantic frame (basis) of this speech is formed by an analysis of causes and consequences: Cicero shows the reasons for the need to expel Catiline; the reasons why he deserves even the death penalty; reasons why it is better to expel than to execute this conspirator; consequences that may result from his execution or exile. This is how, addressing Catiline, Cicero demonstrates the reasons that he must leave the city: " Just think, Catiline, what joy you have in a city where there is no one who is not afraid of you ( reason 1)? No one who would hate you, except, perhaps, those unfortunate people who entered into this conspiracy of yours with you(reason 2)? What shameful stigma has not yet marked your family life?(reason 3)?

This is followed by another 8 (!) rhetorical questions similar to those above, in which eight more reasons are named; then Cicero makes three statements - indicates three more (!) reasons. It is impossible even to list the total number of reasons for the need to condemn and reject Catiline, which the speaker finds in this speech.

Using the “cause and effect” topic to invent the content of speech, finding the causes of the subject of speech, anticipating and discovering its consequences in speech, you need to remember: one of the most common mistakes of speakers, arguers, and interlocutors is the following. Relationship cause and effect are replaced by relationships time sequence events. “After that does not mean because of that,” this is what the old rhetoricians warn.

A brilliant example of the use of a chain of cause-and-effect relationships in scientific speech is found in a fragment of the text “The Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin. The scientist constructs his text using a cause-and-effect model, elegantly arriving at a magnificent conclusion: the more spinsters there are in England, the higher the milk yield. Here's how this model works: old maids love and keep cats, cats exterminate mice; mice destroy the nests of field bumblebees; field bumblebees pollinate clover crops in the fields; clover grows if there are no mice and there are bumblebees; cows receive plenty of food; milk yield increases. So, this cause-effect model is used here somewhat paradoxically, but convincingly.

Let's consider how the top "cause - effect" is practically used to invent the content of speech. Let’s take for example the topic “Monuments elevate the spirit of the people” (N.M. Karamzin). Let’s formulate the main content of a possible speech as follows:

1. Causes(why the aphorism in the title of the topic is true):

1) - monuments remind of the glorious deeds of our ancestors;

2) - instill in younger generations the desire to imitate the great and glorious past;

3) - give rise to confidence that the people still have the strength for deeds no less glorious;

4) - encourage the spirit in times of national disaster.

II. Consequences(which follows from the statement formulated by the topic, the validity of which we have proven by considering the reasons):

1) - the duty of every patriot is to make a feasible offering to perpetuate the memory of their ancestors;

2) - the responsibility of the entire society is to take care of the preservation of previous monuments and the construction of new ones.

Of course, the main content of such a speech should be framed by an appropriate introduction and conclusion.

MEANING MODEL OF "CIRCUMSTANCES"

Top "circumstances" includes place, time, conditions - Where? When? How? how? These are the questions, the answers to which make it possible develop the content of speech in accordance with the semantic model of “circumstances”. These tops are especially important in stories; they can be successfully used in descriptions.

The tops “place”, “time”, “conditions” (“motives”) are absolutely necessary in judicial speech. It is on the basis of the top “circumstances” that the prosecutor and lawyer base their speeches.

MEANING MODELS "EXAMPLE" AND "EVIDENCE"

"Examples" to individual provisions (ideas) of speech or to the entire speech (its meaning) as a whole are necessary in connection with the general rhetorical principles of specificity and proximity.

Examples illustrating the speaker’s thoughts are drawn from his own life experience, from history, folklore sources (most often fairy tales), from fiction (fables, etc.) famous works world literature), from the Holy Scriptures.

When looking for examples that develop the semantic outline of speech and/or serve as evidence (argument) of a certain individual thought, do not forget about principle of proximity: it’s good if the illustrations are taken from an area that is familiar and close to the addressee of the speech, or, in any case, are accessible - they correspond to the level of his perception and understanding.

In general, it can be argued that modern Russian oratory clearly suffers from lack of examples. If it is possible to prepare for a public speech or an important conversation in advance, look through the texts, select and write down suitable illustrations for your thoughts.

If you have to speak without preparation or improvise, use all those few minutes that always remain before speaking or starting a conversation to find in your memory historical parallels, incidents from life or situations described in fiction that confirm your opinion.

"Evidence"(“appeal to authorities”) is a rhetorical common place, in many ways similar to the top “examples”. These are various kinds of quotes and sayings that are used in speech in order to give it the weight of recognized authority, persuasiveness ancient wisdom, the charm of poetry. “A reference to authorities” can look like both a poetic quote and a statement by a famous economist - depending on the speech situation or place in the speech structure.

AND " evidence" And " examples" are often used not only and not so much as evidence, but simply to revive the audience’s attention, to give it a rest, to have fun, to be distracted, and then with redoubled attention to turn to the continuation of mental work - following the speaker’s speech and one’s own thoughts about the subject of the speech.

In order to comply with the general rhetorical principle of “harmony of a speech event”, when selecting sayings and referring to “authorities”, you need to remember: the sources to which you turn for this material must be authoritative not only for you, and not only “in general”, but, above all, for your audience or interlocutors.

Among the sources of “evidence”, it is more practical and easiest to use collections of aphorisms and popular words; literary texts belonging to recognized or especially favorite authors; A proverb, a saying - folk wisdom - will not harm any speech. The position of “evidence” in the structure of speech, as a rule, is distinguished by one important feature: they are most often used " at the border of structural parts speech work. “Testimonies” either open the speech (attract the listeners’ attention, attract them to the speaker in the introduction), or complete it; Individual parts of speech can begin or end with them. To reveal any topic, an appeal is required either to folk wisdom (proverbs), or to the authority of the classics or other most significant writers. All this - "evidence".

As material for " examples" As a rule, biographies of famous scientists, famous writers, outstanding thinkers of the past, and famous statesmen are taken.

MEANING MODEL "NAME"

This is another source of invention of thoughts, development of a theme - appeal to origin and/or meaning of the word(name) denoting a phenomenon or concept that is included in Name yours Topics or is one of her ideas.

The top “name” suggests: take a closer look at the key words for the topic. Analyze their meaning (using explanatory dictionary) and origin (an etymological dictionary will help here).

For example, if you are talking about a city, it is natural to refer to its name: St. Petersburg - city of Peter. From here it is convenient to move on to the history of the city and its role in the history of the country. The dictionary meaning of a word serves as a reliable means of defining the concept that this word denotes.

In the field of artistic creativity, the top “name” receives intrinsic value and achieves the highest status. The sound of a word - a name, its meanings become not just a means of inventing meanings, not only one of the methods of speech influence, but acquire the quality of living material of poetry. Compare how the top “name” is used above in the speech about cities and the following text:

Let me go, give me back, Voronezh, -

Will you drop me or miss me,

Will you drop me or bring me back -

Voronezh is a whim, Voronezh is a raven, a knife!

(O. Mandelstam. Voronezh notebooks)

[ 2 ]

he cannot give his life to his fatherland, he gives it everything he has... Ancient and new story peoples does not present us with anything more touching than this common heroic patriotism. During the reign of Alexander, the Russian heart is allowed to wish that some worthy monument erected in Nizhny Novgorod (where the first voice of love for the fatherland was heard) would renew in our memory the glorious era of Russian history. Such monuments elevate the spirit of the people. A modest monarch would not forbid us to say in the inscription that this monument was built in his happy time.

Peter the Great, having connected us with Europe and shown us the benefits of enlightenment, briefly humiliated the national pride of the Russians. We looked, so to speak, at Europe and with one glance appropriated the fruits of its long-term labors. As soon as the great sovereign told our soldiers how to wield the new weapon, they took it and flew to fight the first European army. The generals appeared, now students, tomorrow examples for teachers. Soon others could and should learn from us; we showed how the Swedes, Turks, and finally the French were beaten. These glorious republicans, who talk even better than they fight, and so often talk about their terrible bayonets, fled in Italy from the first swing of the Russian bayonets. Knowing that we are braver than many, we still don’t know who is braver than us. Courage is a great quality of the soul; the people distinguished by him should be proud of themselves.

We have succeeded in the art of war more than in others, because we have been more engaged in it, as it is most necessary for the establishment of our state existence; however, we cannot boast of laurels alone. Our civil institutions in their wisdom are equal to the institutions of other states, which have been enlightened for several centuries. Our humanity, the tone of society, the taste in life surprise foreigners who come to Russia with a false concept of a people who at the beginning of the eighth century were considered barbaric.

Envious Russians say that we only have highest degree recurrence; but isn’t it a sign of the excellent education of the soul? They say that Leibniz's teachers also found in him one thing that was relatable.

In the sciences, we still stand behind others for this reason - and only for this reason - that we are less engaged in them than others and that the scientific state does not have such a vast scope in our country, as, for example, in Germany, England, etc. If our young nobles, while studying, could complete their studies and devote themselves to the sciences, then we would already have our own Linnaeus, Hallers, Bonnets. The successes of our literature (which requires less learning, but, I dare say, even more intelligence than, in fact, the so-called sciences) prove the great ability of the Russians. How long have we known what a syllable is in poetry and prose? And in some parts we can already be on par with foreigners. Even in the sixth and tenth century, Montagne philosophized and wrote among the French: is it strange that they generally write better than us? Isn’t it wonderful, on the contrary, that some of our works can stand alongside their best both in the painting of thoughts and in the shades of style? Let us only be fair, dear fellow citizens, and feel the value of our own. We will never be smart with someone else's mind and famous with someone else's glory: French and English authors can do without our praise; but the Russians need at least the attention of the Russians. The disposition of my soul, thank God! completely contrary to the satirical and abusive spirit; but I dare to reproach many of our reading lovers who, knowing better than the inhabitants of Paris all the works French literature, they don’t even want to look at a Russian book. Is this what they want for foreigners to notify them of Russian talents? Let them read French and German critical magazines, which do justice to our talents, judging by some translations (Thus, Lomonosov’s worst French translation of od and various passages from Sumarokov earned the attention and praise of foreign journalists.). Who wouldn’t be offended by being like Dalambert’s mother, who, living with him, to her amazement heard from others that he was an intelligent person? Some apologize with their poor knowledge of the Russian language: this apology is worse than the guilt itself. Let us leave it to our dear society ladies to assert that the Russian language is rude and unpleasant; that charmant and seduisant, expansion and vapeurs cannot be expressed on it; and that, in a word, it is not worth the trouble to know him. Who dares to prove the ladies that they are wrong? But men have no such courtesy to judge falsely. Our language is expressive not only for high eloquence, for loud, picturesque poetry, but also for tender simplicity, for the sounds of the heart and sensitivity. It is richer in harmony than French; more capable of pouring out the soul in tones; represents more analogous words, that is, consistent with the action being expressed: the benefit that some indigenous languages ​​have! Our trouble is that we all want to speak French and don’t think about working on processing it. own language: Is it any wonder that we don’t know how to explain to them some of the subtleties in a conversation? One foreign minister said in front of me that “our language must be very dark, because the Russians, speaking to them, according to his remark, do not understand each other and must immediately resort to French.” Are we not the ones who give rise to such absurd conclusions? - Language is important for a patriot; and I love the English because they would rather whistle and hiss in English with their most tender mistresses than speak in a foreign language, known to almost all of them.

There is a limit and measure to everything: both man and people always begin by imitation; but over time he must be himself in order to say: “I exist morally!” Now we already have so much knowledge and taste in life that we could live without asking: how do they live in Paris and London? What do they wear there, what do they travel in and how do they clean their houses? The patriot hastens to appropriate to the fatherland what is beneficial and necessary, but rejects slavish imitation of trinkets that are offensive to the people's pride. It is good and should be studied; but woe to both the man and the people who will be an everlasting student!

Until now, Russia has been constantly rising both politically and morally. It can be said that Europe respects us more and more year after year - and we are still in the middle of our glorious course! The observer sees new industries and developments everywhere; sees a lot of fruit, but even more color. Our symbol is an ardent youth: his heart, full of life, loves activity; his motto is: work and hope/ - Victories have cleared the path to prosperity for us; glory is the right to happiness.

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Nikolai Mikhailovich Karamzin
About love for the fatherland and people's pride

Love for the fatherland can be physical, moral and political.

A person loves the place of his birth and upbringing. This attachment is common to all people and nations, is a matter of nature and should be called physical. The homeland is dear to the heart not for its local beauty, not for its clear sky, not for its pleasant climate, but for its captivating memories surrounding, so to speak, the morning and the cradle of humanity. There is nothing sweeter in the world than life; it is the first happiness, and the beginning of all well-being has some special charm for our imagination. This is how tender lovers and friends consecrate in memory the first day of their love and friendship. The Laplanan, born almost in the grave of nature, despite the fact, loves the cold darkness of his land. Move him to happy Italy: he will turn his eyes and heart to the north, like a magnet; the bright shine of the sun will not produce such sweet feelings in his soul as a gloomy day, like the whistle of a storm, like falling snow: they remind him of his fatherland! – The very location of the nerves formed in a person according to climate binds us to our homeland. It is not for nothing that doctors sometimes advise patients to be treated with its air; it is not for nothing that a resident of Helvetia, removed from his snowy mountains, dries up and falls into melancholy; and returning to wild Unterwalden, to harsh Glaris, he comes to life. Every plant has more strength in its climate: the law of nature does not change for humans. - I’m not saying that the natural beauties and benefits of the fatherland do not have any influence on the general love for it: some lands, enriched by nature, can be all the nicer to their inhabitants; I’m only saying that these beauties and benefits are not the main basis for people’s physical attachment to their fatherland: for then it would not be common.

With whom we grew up and live, we get used to them. Their soul conforms with ours; becomes some of her mirror; serves as an object or means of our moral pleasures and turns into an object of inclination for the heart. This love for fellow citizens, or for the people with whom we grew up, were brought up and live, is the second, or moral, love for the fatherland, as general as the first, local or physical, but acting stronger in some years: for time confirms the habit. It is necessary to see two fellow countrymen who find each other in a foreign land: what pleasure they embrace and rush to pour out their souls in sincere conversations! They see each other for the first time, but they are already familiar and friendly, confirming their personal connection with some common ties of the fatherland! It seems to them that they, even speaking foreign language, understand each other better than others: for in the character of people of the same country there is always some similarity, and the inhabitants of one state always form, so to speak, an electric chain, conveying to them one impression through the most distant rings or links. - On the shores of the most beautiful lake in the world, serving as a mirror of rich nature, I happened to meet a Dutch patriot, who, out of hatred for the Stadtholder and the Oranists, left his fatherland and settled in Switzerland, between Nyon and Rolyas. He had a beautiful house, a physics office, library; sitting under the window, he saw before him a most magnificent picture of nature. Walking past the house, I envied the owner, not knowing him; I met him in Geneva and told him about it. The answer of the Dutch phlegmatic man surprised me with its liveliness: “No one can be happy outside his fatherland, where his heart has learned to understand people and formed its favorite habits. No nation can replace fellow citizens. I don’t live with those with whom I lived for 40 years, I don’t live the way I lived for 40 years: it’s difficult to accustom myself To news, and I'm bored!

But physical and moral attachment to the fatherland, the action of human nature and properties do not yet constitute that great virtue for which the Greeks and Romans were famous. Patriotism is love for the good and glory of the fatherland and the desire to contribute to them in all respects. It requires reasoning - and therefore not all people have it.

The best philosophy is that which bases a person's positions on his happiness. She will tell us that we must love the benefit of the fatherland, for our own is inseparable from it; that his enlightenment surrounds us ourselves with many pleasures in life; that his silence and virtues serve as a shield for family pleasures; that his glory is our glory; and if it is offensive for a person to be called the son of a despised father, then it is no less offensive for a citizen to be called the son of a despised fatherland. Thus, love for our own good produces in us love for the fatherland, and personal pride produces national pride, which serves as the support of patriotism. Thus, the Greeks and Romans considered themselves the first peoples, and all others - barbarians; so, the British, who are in modern times They are more famous for their patriotism than others, they dream about themselves more than others.

I don’t dare think that we have many patriots in Russia; but it seems to me that we are unnecessary humble in thoughts about one’s national dignity - and humility in politics is harmful. He who does not respect himself will, without a doubt, be respected by others,

I’m not saying that love for the fatherland should blind us and convince us that we are better than everyone and in everything; but a Russian must at least know his worth. Let us agree that some peoples are generally more enlightened than we are: for the circumstances were happier for them; but let us also feel all the blessings of fate in the reasoning of the Russian people; Let us stand boldly along with others, say our name clearly and repeat it with noble pride.

We do not need to resort to fables and inventions, like the Greeks and Romans, in order to exalt our origin: glory was the cradle of the Russian people, and victory was the herald of their existence. The Roman Empire learned that there were Slavs, because they came and defeated its legions. 1
The Roman Empire learned that there were Slavs, because they came and defeated its legions. – Referring to Byzantine chronicles, Karamzin in “History of the Russian State” reported that “from the time of Justinian, from 527... the Slavs began to act against the Empire... Neither the Sarmatians, nor the Goths, nor the Huns themselves were more terrible for the empire than the Slavs. Illyria, Thrace, Greece, Chersonesos - all countries from the Ionian Gulf to Constantinople were their victims. Neither the Roman legions, almost always put to flight, nor the great wall of Anastasiev, built to protect Constantinople from the barbarians, could hold back the Slavs, brave and cruel” (vol. I, pp. 20–21).

Byzantine historians speak of our ancestors as wonderful people, to whom nothing could resist and who differed from other northern peoples not only in their courage, but also in some kind of knightly good nature. Our heroes in the ninth century played and amused themselves with the horror of the then new capital of the world: they only had to appear under the walls of Constantinople to take tribute from the Greek kings. In the first century, the Russians, always excellent in courage, were not inferior to other European peoples in education, having a close religious connection with Tsar City, which shared with us the fruits of learning; and during Yaroslav's time many Greek books were translated into Slavic. It is to the credit of the strong Russian character that Constantinople could never assume political influence over our fatherland. The princes loved the intelligence and knowledge of the Greeks, but were always ready to punish them with weapons for the slightest signs of insolence.

The division of Russia into many possessions and the disagreement of the princes prepared the triumph of Genghis Khan’s descendants and our long-term disasters. Great people and great nations are subject to the blows of fate, but even in misfortune they reveal their greatness. Thus Russia, tormented by a fierce enemy, perished with glory: entire cities preferred certain extermination to the shame of slavery. Residents of Vladimir, Chernigov, Kyiv sacrificed themselves to national pride and thereby saved the name of Russians from vilification. The historian, tired of these unfortunate times, like a terrible barren desert, rests on the graves and finds joy in mourning the death of many worthy sons of the fatherland.

But what people in Europe can boast of a better fate? Which of them has not been in prison several times? At least our conquerors terrified the east and west. Tamerlane, sitting on the throne of Samarkand, imagined himself the king of the world.

And what people broke their chains so gloriously? So gloriously noted to fierce enemies? It was only necessary for a decisive, courageous sovereign to be on the throne: the people's strength and courage, after some lull, announced their awakening with thunder and lightning.

The time of impostors again presents a sad picture of rebellion; but soon love for the fatherland inflames hearts - citizens, farmers demand a military leader, and Pozharsky, marked by glorious wounds, rises from his sickbed. The virtuous Minin serves as an example; and whoever cannot give his life to his fatherland gives it everything he has... The ancient and modern history of peoples does not present us with anything more touching than this common heroic patriotism. During the reign of Alexander, the Russian heart is allowed to wish that some worthy monument erected in Nizhny Novgorod (where the first voice of love for the fatherland was heard) would renew in our memory the glorious era of Russian history. Such monuments elevate the spirit of the people. A modest monarch would not forbid us to say in the inscription that this monument was built in his happy time.

Peter the Great, connecting us with Europe and showing us the benefits of enlightenment, he briefly humiliated the national pride of the Russians. We looked, so to speak, at Europe and with one glance appropriated the fruits of its long-term labors. As soon as the great sovereign told our soldiers how to wield the new weapon, they took it and flew to fight the first European army. The generals appeared, now students, tomorrow examples for teachers. Soon others could and should learn from us; we showed how the Swedes, Turks, and finally the French were beaten. These glorious republicans, who talk even better than they fight, and so often talk about their terrible bayonets, fled in Italy from the first swing of the Russian bayonets. 2
These glorious republicans... fled in Italy from the first swing of the Russian bayonets. – We are talking about the defeat of French troops in Italy in May and June 1799. The Russian army was commanded by Suvorov.

Knowing that we are braver than many, we still don’t know who is braver than us. Courage is a great quality of the soul; the people distinguished by him should be proud of themselves.

We have succeeded in the art of war more than in others, because we have been more engaged in it, as it is most necessary for the establishment of our state existence; however, we cannot boast of laurels alone. Our civil institutions in their wisdom are equal to the institutions of other states, which have been enlightened for several centuries. Our humanity, the tone of society, the taste in life surprise foreigners who come to Russia with a false concept of a people who at the beginning of the eighth century were considered barbaric.

Envious Russians say that we have only the highest degree recurrence; but isn’t it a sign of the excellent education of the soul? They say that Leibniz's teachers also found in him one recurrence.

In the sciences, we still stand behind others for this reason - and only for this reason - that we are less engaged in them than others and that the scientific state does not have such a vast scope in our country as, for example, in Germany, England, etc. If our young nobles, while studying, they could finish their studies and devote ourselves to the sciences, then we would already have our own Linnaeus, Hallers, Bonnets. The successes of our literature (which requires less learning, but, I dare say, even more intelligence than, in fact, the so-called sciences) prove the great ability of the Russians. How long have we known what a syllable is in poetry and prose? And in some parts we can already be on par with foreigners. Montagne philosophized and wrote among the French back in the sixth or tenth century: is it surprising that they generally write better than us? Isn’t it wonderful, on the contrary, that some of our works can stand alongside their best both in the painting of thoughts and in the shades of style? Let us only be fair, dear fellow citizens, and feel the value of our own. We will never be smart with someone else's mind and famous with someone else's glory: French and English authors can do without our praise; but the Russians need at least the attention of the Russians. The disposition of my soul, thank God! completely contrary to the satirical and abusive spirit; but I dare to reproach many of our reading lovers who, knowing better than the inhabitants of Paris all the works of French literature, do not even want to look at a Russian book. Is this what they want for foreigners to notify them of Russian talents? Let them read the French and German critical journals, which do justice to our talents, judging by some translations 1
Thus, Lomonosov’s worst French translation of odes and various passages from Sumarokov earned the attention and praise of foreign journalists.

Who wouldn’t be offended by being like D’Alembert’s mother, who, while living with him, to her amazement heard from others that he was an intelligent person? Some apologize with their poor knowledge of the Russian language: this apology is worse than the guilt itself. Let us leave it to our dear society ladies to assert that the Russian language is rude and unpleasant; that charmant and séduisant, expansion and vapeurs 2
Adorable, seductive, outpouring, soaring (French). – Ed.

Cannot be expressed on it; and that, in a word, it is not worth the trouble to know him. Who dares to prove the ladies that they are wrong? But men have no such courtesy to judge falsely. Our language is expressive not only for high eloquence, for loud, picturesque poetry, but also for tender simplicity, for the sounds of the heart and sensitivity. It is richer in harmony than French; more capable of pouring out the soul in tones; represents more similar words, that is, consistent with the action being expressed: a benefit that only indigenous languages ​​have! Our trouble is that we all want to speak French and don’t think about working on mastering our own language: is it any wonder that we don’t know how to explain to them some of the subtleties of conversation? One foreign minister said in front of me that “our language must be very dark, because the Russians, speaking to them, according to his remark, do not understand each other and must immediately resort to French.” Are we not the ones who give rise to such absurd conclusions? – Language is important for a patriot; and I love the English because they want better whistle And hiss in English with his most tender mistresses, rather than speaking in a foreign language, known to almost all of them.

There is a limit and measure to everything: both man and people always begin by imitation; but it should be over time by itself, to say: “I exist morally!” Now we already have so much knowledge and taste in life that we could live without asking: how do they live in Paris and London? What do they wear there, what do they travel in and how do they clean their houses? The patriot hastens to appropriate to the fatherland what is beneficial and necessary, but rejects slavish imitation of trinkets that are offensive to the people's pride. It is good and should be studied; but woe to both the man and the people who will be an everlasting student!

Until now, Russia has been constantly rising both politically and morally. We can say that Europe respects us more year by year - and we are still in the middle of our glorious course! The observer sees new ones everywhere industry And development; sees a lot of fruit, but even more color. Our symbol is an ardent youth: his heart, full of life, loves activity; its motto is: work and hope!– Victories have cleared the way for us to prosperity; glory is the right to happiness.

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