Book Title: Andreae Alciati emblematvm libellvs.

Author: Alciati, Andrea, 1492-1550

Image Title: Eloquence Excels Force

Description: The pictura of this emblem by the Italian jurist and writer Andrea Alciati (1492 – 1550 CE) features the mythical Greek hero Hercules with light chains passed through his tongue. By these, he leads men along, their ears pierced with these same chains. The subscriptio interprets this as an allusion to the ancient Gallic legend that spoke of the hero’s eloquence surpassing his might. From this legend, it draws the lesson that, in political rule, a statesman’s fluency excels his use of coercive force in efficacy.

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