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Since a natural consequence of much learning is to have much to say (and for this reason PythagorasCf. Life of Numa, viii. (65 b); De Vita et Poesi Homeri, 149 (Bernardakis, vol. vii. p. 420); Lucian, Vitarum Auctio, 3. enjoined upon the young a five years’ silence which he called a Truce to Speech), a necessary concomitant of inquisitiveness is to speak evil.Cf. 508 c, supra. For what the curious delight to hear they delight to tell, and what they zealously collect from others they joyously reveal to everyone else. Consequently, in addition to its other evils, their disease actually impedes the fulfilment of their desires.Cf. 502 e-f, supra. For everyone is on his guard to hide things from them and is reluctant to do anything while a busybody is looking, or to say anything while one is listening, but defers consultation and postpones the consideration of business until such an inquisitive person is out of the way. And if, when either some secret matter is under discussion or some important business is being transacted, a busybody comes on the scene, men drop the matter from the discussion and conceal it, as one does a tidbit when a cat runs by. Consequently these persons are often the only ones to whom those matters are not told or shown which everyone else may hear and see.
