We should not, however, be exactly

We should not, however, be exactly surprised to find that this effort burdens the prose style to the point of introducing some peculiarities of its own as well. Moreover, if Thucydides marks the characteristics of his method with such pride, and if he multiplies proofs and confirmations to the detriment of structural clarity and balanced phrasing, he must do so because the theory behind his method is precious to him. And we can understand that when it comes to showing the framework itself, he may be less willing than ever to sacrifice clarity to the requirements of stylistic form. The readers' vexation in the face of seemingly superfluous or unwelcome elements makes their presence stand out. It is typical that, over a sequence of six chapters, the harshest criticism has been brought, in at least five cases, against those words we have called key words, which correspond to the very essence of the doctrine.