We may say, then, that whilst intoxication enhances
the memory for what is past, it allows it to remember little of the
present.
* * * * *
Men need some kind of external activity, because they are inactive
within. Contrarily, if they are active within, they do not care to be
dragged out of themselves; it disturbs and impedes their thoughts in a
way that is often most ruinous to them.
* * * * *
I am not surprised that some people are bored when they find
themselves alone; for they cannot laugh if they are quite by
themselves. The very idea of it seems folly to them.
Are we, then, to look upon laughter as merely O signal for others--a
mere sign, like a word? What makes it impossible for people to laugh
when they are alone is nothing but want of imagination, dullness of
mind generally--[Greek: anaisthaesia kai bradutaes psuchaes], as
Theophrastus has it.[1] The lower animals never laugh, either alone
or in company. Myson, the misanthropist, was once surprised by one of
these people as he was laughing to himself. _Why do you laugh_? he
asked; _there is no one with you. That is just why I am laughing_,
said Myson.
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