To amplify, however, and diminish are not the elements of an enthymeme; for I call the same thing an element and place. For an element as also a place, is that into which many enthymemes fall. But to amplify and diminish are enthymemes for the purpose of shewing, that a thing is great or small, as likewise that it is good or evil, just or unjust, or any thing else. And all these are the things with which syllogisms and enthymemes are conversant; so that if no one of these is the place of an enthymeme, neither are amplification and diminution. Neither are enthymemes which have the power of solving the arguments of the opponent any other species of enthymeme than those which are employed in confirmation. For it is evident that he solves the arguments of his opponent, who either shows the contrary to what his opponent asserts, or introduces an objection. But he proves the opposite. Thus, if one shows that a thing has been done, the other shows that it has not been done; and if one shows that it has not, the other shows that it has been done; so that here, indeed, there will be no difference; for both use the same enthymemes; since they introduce enthymemes to show, that the thing is, or is not. An objection, however, is not an enthymeme, but (as we have shown in the Topics) it is to declare a certain opinion, from which it will be evident that the conclusion is not syllogistical, or that something false has been assumed. And thus much has been said by us respecting examples and sentences; and in short respecting what pertains to the reasoning power, whence we may abound with enthymemes, and how we may solve them. It now remains to discuss what pertains to diction and order.
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