Eleventh Matter

 

 

The success and soundness of a speech lie in its ability to prove the main theme or thesis with all its elements, the foundations it is based on, and the means used to explain it. To explain something more clearly, the material used to prove the basic point or main theme should not be corrupt, and the conclusion should be put explicitly and easily. The foundations upon which the conclusion is based should be so vigorous and powerful that they should be referred to as sources and sound arguments, and they must have the necessary equipment to remove doubts and answer any possible questions.

A speech is like a fruit-bearing tree. It has thorns or “bayonets” to protect against every attack. It gives the impression that it is a conclusion drawn after long discussions and an extract obtained after many, careful acts of reasoning. Diabolical whims or doubts cannot reach it to steal from it, nor look at it maliciously. The speaker considers all the sides of this tree and has built a wall around it. He or she has also placed a guard at every point through which the speech may be exposed to attacks by creating a clear circle around the main theme and by doing his/her best not to leave any ambiguous point, or by other means of defense. Furthermore, the speaker has so equipped the speech that it has the capacity to provide answers for any possible questions.

 

Said Nursi