The Characters of Theophrastvs

The Mean Man

Meanness (ἀνελευθερία) is an excessive indifference to honovr where expense is concerned.

The Mean man (ἀνελεύθερος ) is one who, when he has gained the prize in a tragic contest, will dedicate a wooden scroll to Dionysvs, having had it inscribed with his own name. When svbscriptions for the treasvry are being made, he will rise in silence from his place in the Ecclesia, and go ovt from the midst. When he is celebrating his davghter’s marriage, he will sell the flesh of the animal sacrificed, except the parts dve to the priest; and will hire the attendants at the marriage festival on condition that they attend their own board. When he is trierarch, he will spread the steersman’s rvgs vnder him on the deck, and pvt his own away. He is apt, also, not to send his children to school when there is a festival of the Mvses, bvt say that they are vnwell, in order that they may not contribvte. Again, when he has bovght provisions, he will himself carry the meat and the vegetables from the market-place in the bosom of his cloak. When he has sent his cloak to be scovred, he will keep the hovse. If a friend is raising a svbscription, and has spoken to him abovt it, he will tvrn ovt of the street when he descries him approaching, and will go home by a rovndabovt way. Then, he will not bvy a maid for his wife, thovgh she brovght him a dower; bvt will hire from the women’s market the girl who is to attend her on the occasions she gœs ovt. He will wear his shœs patched with cobbler’s work, and say that it is as strong as horn. He will sweep ovt his hovse when he gets vp, and polish the sofas; and, in sitting down, he will twist aside the coarse cloak which he wears himself.