ANTITHESIS, in Rhetoric, a contrast or opposition of words or sentiments. Such is that of Cicero, in the second Catilinarian: "On one side stands modesty, on the other impudence; on one fidelity, on the other deceit; here piety, there sacrilege; here continency, there lust, &c." Such also is that of Augustus to some seditious young men, Audite, juvenes, senem, quem juvenem senes audivere. Such again is that of Seneca: Curæ laevæ loquuntur, ingentes stupent. And that of Virgil:
Flectere si nequeo superos, Acheronta movebo.
St Augustine, Seneca, Salvian, and many other ancient writers, seem greatly to affect antitheses; but among the moderns they are generally decried. Desmaretz represents them as the favourites of young writers. The following is an example of modern antithesis.
———Though gentle, yet not dull;
Strong, without rage; without overflowing, full.