Did you know that, in ancient Greece, you had to learn how communicate persuasively and eloquently? Your rhetorical ability was a status symbol… like a purse or car or house today. Except this “status symbol” could save your life. In a day when each man pleaded his own case before a jury, the argument and delivery could make or break your case. Literally.
Many scholars note the parallels between Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and the famous speech Pericles, a Greek politician and friend of Thucydides, gave during the first year of the Peloponnesian War at a funeral for fallen soldiers. Both considered the virtues of their republic and argued that these men had not died in vain. They had died for the virtues and morals for which they fought.
We’ll consider the connection between these speeches over the next few days. But for a moment — think with me.
Even today, rhetoric could save your life in one way or another. Lincoln and Pericles used their art of communication to comfort and uplift, and inspire and challenge their countrymen to remain fully devoted to the cause at hand. Great leaders and great speeches do this. But you can too.
Think about your words, the ones you speak every day. They can be about something simple or something grand. But when you speak to others, do you give life? Do you encourage? Do you lift up and challenge and inspire? I’ve been convicted of not always using my words to “give life”. And I want to change.
Words spoken to large audiences and on great occasions have power, but I’d argue that words spoken to just one person in an “everyday situation” can have even greater “life-giving” potential. How often we underestimate the power of our words.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
-James, The Bible
Rhetoric — your words — could save your life. And give life to others.
