His work

His work De institutione oratory, treated in twelve books about the formation of the speaker, was written at the end of a life fully consecrated to the judicial practice and faculty. It is a marvel of clarity and solidity, which is reflecting his great personal experience. It is a celebration of classicism, in its purest form.

In this treatise deals with a comprehensive and detailed training speaker, from birth until it reaches the zenith of his career. Une morality of eloquence as an orator Quintilian as a "vir bonus dicendi peritus'' and the decline of public speaking is a simple consequence of the corruption of morals. 

His enthusiasm of teacher of rhetoric prevented him from seeing that the decline oratory obeyed the social and political causes, against which it was useless to fight.

Quintilian advises preceptors delicate attention in the study of child psychology and most exquisite touch in the direction of his intelligence. Insists that education must start from birth. Advocates intellectual and professional training in a public school under an expert teacher. Supports the continued effort, regular and progressive, without bumps, accommodated to the capacity and temperament of each pupil. And, above all, shows constant concern for their moral health.

This realism and moral balance to the classic approach him. Recommends natural eloquence, without false affectations and frills. Despite his admiration for Cicero, not slavishly copy his style, but writes in the complicated language of his day, full of metaphors, clever features and brilliant images, in an attempt to make their thinking more expressive. Inherits therefore influence and Postclassic authors especially Seneca in Latin prose.