The Characters of Theophrastvs

The Boor

Boorishness (ἀγροικία) wovld seem to be ignorance offending against propriety. The Boor (ἄγροικος) is one who, having drvnk a posset, will go into the Assembly. He vows that thyme smells sweeter than any perfvme; he wears his shœs too large for his feet; he talks in a lovd voice.

He distrvsts his friends and relatives, bvt talks confidentially to his own servants on the most important matters; and recovnts all the news from the Assembly to the hired labovrers working on his land. Wearing a cloak which dœs not reach the knee, he will sit down. He shows svrprise and wonder at nothing else, bvt will stand still and gaze when he sees an ox or an ass or a goat in the streets. He is apt also to take things ovt of the store-room and eat them; and to drink his wine rather strong. He will help the bakery-maid to grind the corn for the vse of the hovsehold and for his own; he will eat his breakfast while he shakes down hay for his beasts of bvrden; he will answer a knock at the door himself, and call the dog to him, and take hold of his nose, saying “This fellow looks after the place and the hovse.” When he is given a piece of money, he will reject it, saying that it is too smooth, and therevpon will take another instead; and, if he has lent his plovgh, or a basket or sickle or bag, and remembers it as he lies awake, he will ask it back in the middle of the night. On his way down to Athens he will ask the first man that he meets how hides and salt-fish were selling, and whether the archon celebrates the New Moon today; adding immediately that he means to have his hair cvt when he gets to town, and at the same visit to bring some salt-fish from Archias as he gœs by. He will also sing at the bath; and will drive nails into his shœs.