If the gestures are good, the most wretched speaking is tolerated.  So much the better if the speaking is good, but gesture is the all-important thing.  Gesture is superior to each of the other languages, because it embraces the constituent parts of our being.  Gesture includes everything within us.  Sound is the gesture of the vocal apparatus.  The consonants and vowels are the gesture of the buccal apparatus, and gesture, properly so called, is the product of the myological apparatus.

It is not ideas that move the masses; it is gestures.

We easily reach the heart and soul through the senses.  Music acts especially on the senses.  It purifies them, it gives intelligence to the hand, it disposes the heart to prayer.  The three languages may each move, interest and persuade.

Language is a sort of music which moves us through vocal expression; it is besides normal through the gesture of articulation.  No language is exclusive.  All interpenetrate and communicate their action.  The action of music is general.

The mind and the life are active only for the satisfaction of the heart; then, since the heart controls all our actions, gesture must control all other languages.

Gesture is magnetic, speech is not so.  Through gesture we subdue the most ferocious animals.

The ancients were not ignorant of this all-powerful empire of gesture over an audience.  Therefore, sometimes to paralyze, sometimes to augment this magic power, orators were obliged to cover their faces with a mask, when about to speak in public.  The judges of the Areopagus well knew the power of gesture, and to avoid its seductions, they adopted the resource of hearing pleas only in the darkness.

The sign of the cross made at the opening of a sermon often has great effect upon good Catholics.  Let a priest with his eyes concentric and introspective make deliberately the sign of the cross while solemnly uttering these words:  “In-the-name-of-the-Father;” then let his glance sweep the audience.  What do they think of him?  This is no longer an ordinary man; he seems clothed with the majesty of God, whose orders he has just received, and in whose name he brings them.  This idea gives him strength and assurance, and his audience respect and docility.

Chapter IV.

The Laws of Gesture.

The static treats of the laws of gesture which are six in number, viz.:  Priority, retroaction, the opposition of agents, unity, stability and rhythm.

The Priority of Gesture to Speech.

Gesture must always precede speech.  In fact, speech is reflected expression.  It must come after gesture, which is parallel with the impression received.  Nature incites a movement, speech names this movement.  Speech is only the title, the label of what gesture has anticipated.  Speech comes only to confirm what the audience already comprehend.  Speech is given for naming things.  Gesture asks the question, “What?” and speech answers.  Gesture after the answer would be absurd.  Let the word come after the gesture and there will be no pleonasm.