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OFFICIOUSNESS -- to define it -- is a presuming in word and deed but with quite good intent. The officious man will get up and make promises he cannot possibly keep. When an argument is recognised to be just, he has an objection to it and is proved wrong. He will compel the slave to mix more wine than his guests can drink. He will separate two fighters though he does not know them at all, Leaving the high road he will lead you by a short cut and eventually be quite at a loss to know where to go. He will go up to the general and ask when be intends to offer battle and what are the orders for the day after to-morrow. He will come up to his fatter and tell him his mother is already in bed. When the doctor strictly orders him not to give wine to a sick person he remarks he is anxious to give it a trial and drowns the sick man with it. When a lady dies he inscribes on her tomb her husband's name and her father's and her mothers, and, of course, her own and the place of her birth, adding 'All those named were excellent persons.'1 At the moment of taking an oath lie will remark to those present 'You know I have often taken oaths before.' 1. The officiousness consists in the insertion of the mothers name and the complimentary phrase.
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