Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1898-06-10
Inquisitiyenesss.


quisitiveness may be reprihensl-
bic or commendible according
to the use that is made Of it and
the tact with which it is employ
ed. Inquisitive people learn a
great deal, or at least get much
information, and if they conhne
their inquiries to legitimate top
les on which they have a right
to be Informed, and If moreover,
their inquiries are directed to
the obtaining of solid inforna>
ton that will be of use to them,
their inquisitiveness serves a
good purpose. 1t is far differ
ent with that inquisitiveness
which deals only with petty af>
fairs or scandals and which IS
directed not to the obtaining Of
legitimate information, but to
prying into other peoples af
fairs. That kind Of inquisitive-
ness is an impertinence which
is properly resented. Men have
property rights in their thoughts
and opinions as real as the prop
erty rights in their pocketbooks.
To pry into their thoughts
against their will is an offence
comparable to flching from
their pockets,
Inquisltiveness Of another
kind which may be justihable
is sometimes inpolite. AS
young people grow to manhood
or Womanhood and begin to in
dulge in the freedom Of move
ments of which their years emit
tie them parents sometimes for
gets that the children have
"grown up" and become unduly
lnquisitivc about their move
ments. Parents have a right to
know what their children under
age are doing; it is their duty to
watch over and guard them.
They are quite justified in ex-
hibiting solicitude for their we'll
fare after they have passed from
parental control, but the should
guard against undue inquisitive-
ness. 1t may be resented, caus
ing unseemly quarrels, or it may
be met by hypocracy and false
statements. InquisitiVeness
which leads to such responses is
extremely 1nischieVous, and yet
this is quite a common effect OF
espionage and prying into the
affairs O., those, who, though
free to act, have not yet forgot~
ten the days OF their bondage.
That which a patent may do to
a boy Of eighteen he cannot
wisely do to the man of twenty
one. In short, it is impolitic to
be inquisitive where authority
no longer exists, except, Of
course, in cases where it does
seem necessary to extend au>
thority over Z child who has fal>
len into evil courses.
The general rule that should
govern every ones conduct is to
be inquisitive about all matters
of legitimate information that
may be useful for III this way
much Information may be gain
ed, but to keep a check upon
ones curiosity respecting mere
ly personal matters and to avoid
ANYTHING bearing resemblance
to prying into private affairs. 1t
is easier to observe this rule as
applied to members of ones own
family. But it is in the family
circle that2 inquisitiveness may
be most annoying and misChieV-
Gus. The stranger will resent un-
due inquisitiveness: the relative
may feel impelled to submit to
it or to secretly repel it by false
replies. One has only to extend
ones notions as to the rights Of
property to include besides ma,
terial objects personal affairs,
thoughts and opinions, to man
tain such respect for other PEG,
pie as will preclude the possi~
bility Of becoming a Paul Pry.