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Such a malady of the mind, to take the first instance, is curiosity, which is a desire to learn the troubles of others,Cf. Menander’s typical curious slave, a πολυπράγμων, who says (Frag. 850 Kock): οὐδεν γλυκύτερόν ἐστιν ἢ πάντ’ εἰδέναι.. a disease which is thought to be free from neither envy nor malice: Why do you look so sharp on others’ ills, Malignant man, yet overlook your own?Kock, Com. Att. Frag., iii. p. 476, ades. 359; Cf. 469 b, supra. Shift your curiosity from things without and turn it inwards; if you enjoy dealing with the recital of troubles, you have much occupation at home: Great as the water flowing down Alizon, Many as the leaves around the oak,A verse of unknown origin; the text is probably corrupt. so great a quantity of transgressions will you find in your own life, of afflictions in your own soul, of oversights in the performance of your own obligations.
