Page:Plutarch - Moralia, translator Holland, 1911.djvu/164

142 But in truth, these busybodies, avoiding country life and husbandry, as a vain trade and foolish occupation, a cold manner of living, which bringeth forth no great and tragical matter, intrude and thrust themselves into the high courts of justice, the tribunal seats, the market-place and public pulpits where speeches be made unto the people, great assemblies, and the most frequented quarter of the haven where the ships ride at anchor, what: No news? saith one of them. How now? Were you not this morning at the market or in the common place? What then: How think you, is not the city mightily changed and transformed within these three hours? Now if it chance that some one or other make an overture, and have something to say as touching those points, down he alights on foot from his horse, he embraceth the man, kisseth him, and there stands attending and giving ear unto him. But say that the party whom he thus encountereth and meeteth upon the way, tell him that he hath no news to report: What sayst thou? (will he infer again and that in displeasure and discontentment): Were not thou in the market-place of late? Didst not thou pass by the prince's court? Hadst thou no talk or conference at all with those that came out of Italy? In regard of such, therefore, as these, I hold well with the magistrates of the city Locri, and commend a law of theirs: That if any citizen had been abroad in the country, and upon his return home demanded what news? he should have a fine set on his head. For like as cooks pray for nothing but good store of fatlings to kill for the kitchen, and fishmongers plenty of fishes; even so curious and busy people wish for a world of troubles and a number of affairs, great news, alterations and changes of state: to the end that they might evermore be provided of gain, to chase and hunt after, yea, and to kill.

Well and wisely, therefore, did the law-giver of the Thurians, when he gave order and forbade expressly, That no citizen should be taxed, noted by name, or scoffed at upon the stage in any comedy, save only adulterers and these busy persons. For surely adultery may be compared well to a kind of curiosity, searching into the pleasures of another: seeking (I say) and inquiring into those matters which are kept secret, and concealed from the view of the whole world. And as for curiosity, it seemeth to be a resolution or looseness, like a palsy or corruption, a detection of secrets and laying them naked: For it is an ordinary thing with those who be inquisitive and desirous of many news for to be blabs also of their tongues, and to be