Cunning signifies especially a habit or gift of overreaching,
accompanied with enjoyment and a sense of superiority. It is associated
with small and dull conceit, and with an absolute want of sympathy or
affection. It is the intensest rendering of vulgarity, absolute and
utter.--_Ruskin._
~Curiosity.~--A person who is too nice an observer of the business of the
crowd, like one who is too curious in observing the labor of the bees,
will often be stung for his curiosity.--_Pope._
The gratification of curiosity rather frees us from uneasiness than
confers pleasure; we are more pained by ignorance than delighted by
instruction. Curiosity is the thirst of the soul.--_Johnson._
~Custom.~--The despotism of custom is on the wane; we are not content to
know that things are; we ask whether they ought to be.--_John Stuart
Mill._