Plutarch's Morals

by Plutarch

[617] Æschylus, "Supplices," 937.

[618] All three being eminent doctors.

[619] "Intelligo Charondam."—Xylander.

[620] Plutarch wants to show that curiosity and adultery are really the same vice in principle. Hence his imagery here. Jeremy Taylor has very beautifully dealt with this passage, "Holy Living," chap. ii. § v. I cannot pretend to his felicity of language. Thus Plutarch makes adultery mere curiosity, and curiosity a sort of adultery in regard to secrets. A profoundly ethical and moral view. Compare § ix.

[621] Compare Lucian's ἐχεγλωττία, after ἐχεχειρία (armistice), Lexiph. 9.

[622] See the story in Homer, "Iliad," vi. 155 sq.

[623] Or self-control.

[624] Literally, some woman shut up, or enclosed.

[625] See also our author's "On those who are punished by the Deity late," [§ xi.]

[626] See Euripides, Fragm., 389. Also Plutarch's "Theseus," cap. xv.