Progymnasmata: Chreia

Classical Writing Exercises in Preparation for Rhetoric

This post is part of a Series on the Progymnasmata; a classical collection of writing exercises which reach back to Greek and Roman antiquity. These exercises are designed, tested, and proven to form well rounded and versatile writers and thinkers who are fully ready to engage in the craft of Rhetoric (the art of persuasion). For a brief introduction to the Progymnasmata with links to examples of the various exercises you may click here.

In this post we will examine the Progymnasmata writing exercise known as Chreia¹ (cray-uh). Its purpose is to magnify the wisdom of a great quote. The steps of a Chreia are as follows:

1. Quote: Write out the saying under consideration.

2. Encomium: Praise the wisdom of the author.

3. Paraphrase: Restate the saying in your own words. This can be proverbial or prosaic.

4. Cause: Explain what the cause or origin of this saying. Why might it have been said and for what purpose?

5. Contrast: Explain why someone might choose not to follow this wisdom.

6. Analogy: Introduce an analogy.

7. Example: Give an example from history or literature of someone who followed this wisdom and its beneficial result or give an example of someone from history or literature who did not follow this wisdom and its negative result.

8. Testimony of the Ancients: State a quote from another respectable source which confirms and agrees with the wisdom of the saying.

9. Exhortation: Encourage the reader or hearer to follow the wisdom of the saying.

Now, for an example of a Chreia, please consider the following quote from Pharaoh Amasis.

Quote

“Bowmen bend their bows when they wish to shoot; unbrace them when the shooting is over. Were they kept always strung they would break, and fail the archer in time of need. So it is with men. If they give themselves constantly to serious work, and never indulge awhile in pastime or sport, they lose their senses, and become mad or moody. Knowing this, I divide my life between pastime and business.”

-Pharaoh Amasis (Herodotus Book II.173)

Encomium: Amasis had one of the largest and most prosperous empires in the world during his time. Such a kingdom surely had many demands for its ruler’s time and energy. Amasis knew that he could work himself into the grave and still never get to the bottom of all of the important things which were demanded of a ruler. He also knew that if he gave himself to nothing but the necessary, ignoring completely the things which are merely for enjoyment, he would be likely to ruin his health and happiness and he would not live as long or rule as well or justly as he might. Such was the wisdom of Amasis that he took time to enjoy life and friendship so that he might rule all the better when it was necessary to give himself to matters of state.

Paraphrase: Those who burn the candle at both ends burn out twice as fast.

Cause: Amasis’ friends were concerned for his reputation when they saw him making merry with his guests and urged him to sit more frequently upon his stately throne and to be consumed in matters of important business so that his people would give him more respect. This is what led to Amasis’ retort.

Contrast: Despite the legitimate wisdom represented in Amasis’ quote it is clear that some positions of authority are more demanding than others. The head of state of any country must certainly be a sober minded sort who works harder and longer than the average man. Such being the case, others in a similar place of authority as Amasis might choose to ignore the wisdom he offers. There was at least equal wisdom in the initial counsel of Amasis’ friends as there was in his response. Prudence is needed to know when it is time to follow one over the other.

Analogy: As a horse always ploughing ruins the horse so a man always working ruins the man.

Positive Example: Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, recognized the same wisdom which is captured in Amasis’ quote when he encouraged Moses to appoint other men to judge cases in Israel so that he might not be constantly judging cases and consumed by work. (Exodus 18:17-27)

Negative Example: Ebenezer Scrooge failed, for most of his life, to recognize the wisdom of this saying and he worked until he was very rich but was completely alone, unloved, and had become an unjust master over many. But for the grace of God he would have died in the wretchedness of work.

Testimony of the Ancients: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) Jesus knew that man does not thrive by his own hands but must depend upon God for his prosperity in life. Prayer and worship might seem like “useless” pursuits to others but Jesus knew that it was utterly essential that we take times of rest from our work so that we might worship and be in community with other believers and therefore be refreshed.

Exhortation: Amasis was wise to take time to enjoy friends and relaxation from time to time. If we are always working we are sacrificing much of the goods of life which we are meant to enjoy. Not only do we suffer but our friends and family suffer if all we do is work. Even if our work is for the good of other people, as a political leader, pastor, father, etc., if we do not rest and refresh we will become haggard, irritable, unjust, and possibly die an unnecessarily early death from lack of care for our own well being. Thus we should all exercise prudence and take time to enjoy the “unnecessary things” of life so that we might be more profitable in our times of work and serving others with joy.

1. The Greek word χρεία simply means “use.”