Expression of Denial

In Latin speech, negō > nōn dīcō. That is, the phrase ‘I deny’ is everywhere preferable to the phrase ‘I do not say’ or ‘I say that…not.’

• I say these things are untrue: dīcō haec nōn esse vēra — negō haec esse vēra.
• The Stoics claim that nothing is good but what is right: Stōcī dīcunt quidquam nōn esse bonum nisi honestum sit. — Stōicī negant quidquam esse bonum nisi quod honestum sit.

The Essential  AG: 328, 580b