Final answer:
Cicero's discussion on eloquence in 'De Inventione' relates it to moral integrity, suggesting that true eloquence stems from a virtuous and innocent life.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Cicero in De Inventione, he argues that true eloquence comes from a life of integrity and innocence. He contends that if innocence is equivalent to eloquence, as stated by the poet Statius Caecilius, he can particularly claim to be eloquent because he has never harbored thoughts he would fear to express openly. Cicero puts forth the idea that one's moral standing and actions contribute to their ability to speak eloquently and persuasively.
This emphasis on moral character over simply the skill of rhetoric suggests that the embodiment of virtue enhances a person's oratory abilities, aligning with the perception of rhetoric during the Roman aristocratic era as a tool for governance and public speaking.