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On the Nature of Man
Nemesius of Emesa, tr. Wither, 1636
I. Of the Reason, from whence we have the denomination of reasonable-creatures.
Here is one division of the powers of the soul, (together with which, there are some parts of the body likewise divided) whereunto is added another division, and after another maner For the reasonable-part of the soule is divided into reason which is unexpressed in us, and that which is uttered by our speech.
The reason unexpressed (or setled in us) is a motion of the soule engendred in that part of the minde, wherein consisteth our discourse of reason, without any utterance by voice: Thereby oftentimes (although wee say nothing) wee throughly resolve, and set downe with our selves, the whole reason of a thing; and otherwhile discourse in our dreames: And it is chiefly in respect thereof that we are called reasonable-creatures; yea much rather in this respect, then for that which is uttered by our speech.
For albeit some are deafe and dumbe from their births, or lose their voices by sicknesse and diseases, yet reasonable-creatures they are, neverthelesse.
IIThe utterance of reason is by the voice in the variety of tongues; and the instruments used in the voice are many; namely, the muscles which are in the middle of the sides, the breast it selfe, the lungs, the winde-pipe, the throat, (and in all these, those parts especially which are grisly) the returning sinews, the cover of the wind-pipe; yea, and all the muscles which move these parts, are instruments of our speech.
The instruments of our various utterance are the mouth: (for therein the speech is moulded and fashioned) and the tongue and the wesil-pipe (which are there in stead of that wherewith wee smite the strings of a Lute or such like instrument) the roofe of the mouth also, which is as the belly of the Lute, that receives and gives back the sound. The teeth, and the various openings of the mouth, doe stand in stead of strings: yea, and the nose also doth somewhat further the plainenesse, and the pleasingness of speech, as appeares in those that sing.