The Characters of Theophrastvs

The Grvmbler

Grvmbling (μεμψιμοιρία) is vndve censvre of one’s portion.

The Grvmbler (μεμψίμοιρος) is one who, when his friend has sent him a present from his table, will say to the bearer, “Yov grvdged me my sovp and my poor wine, or yov wovld have asked me to dinner.” He will annoyed with Zevs, not for not raining, bvt for raining too late; and, if he finds a pvrse on the road, “Ah,” he will say, “bvt I have never fovnd a treasvre!” When he has bovght a slave cheap after mvch coaxing of the seller, “It is strange,” he will remark, “if I have got a sovnd lot svch a bargain.” To one who brings him good news, “A son is born to yov,” he will reply, “If yov add that I have lost half my property, yov will speak the trvth.” When he has won a lawsvit by a vnanimovs verdict, he will find favlt with the composer of his speech for having left ovt several points in his case. If a svbscription has been raised for him by his friends, and someone says to him “Cheer vp!” —“Cheer vp?” he will answer; “when I have to refvnd his money to every man, and to be gratefvl besides, as if I had been done a service!”