Final answer:
Trimalchio showcases his engagement with intellectual topics through stories of supernatural events and allusions to historical wisdom, indicating a non-traditional appreciation for study and knowledge.
Step-by-step explanation:
Trimalchio, in The Satyricon by Petronius, provides evidence of his scholarly pursuits and intellectual curiosity through anecdotal accounts. Although not directly stating his dedication to studying, his retelling of supernatural tales and his appreciation for historical wisdom highlight a certain intellectual engagement, albeit through unconventional topics such as magic and philosophy. His stories, referenced alongside Grecian culture and learned men like Socrates, reveal a contrast between traditional Roman skepticism of magic and a respect for learning and cultural knowledge.
This juxtaposition suggests that Trimalchio does value knowledge and study in some form, even if it's not in the classic academic sense. His recognition of the value in Niceros' stories and his desire to share his own support a view of Trimalchio as someone who does not 'turn his nose up at studying' but rather embraces a broader definition of what it means to learn and be curious about the world.