The `/var/lib` contains some unreadable contents, one of which is the `mysql` folder. I wanted to see the size of the `/var/lib` folder and the `mysql` folder in particular. Right-clicking on it and clicking on the "Properties" option gives me this:

![The Properties dialog box](https://i.stack.imgur.com/KVAyC.png)

In case you need the specs:

* Ubuntu 12.10
* Nautilus 3.4.2

**EDIT:**

```
`du -sh /var/lib` gives me this:
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/sudo': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/tor': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/udisks2': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/php5': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/openfire': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/gdm': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/lightdm': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/polkit-1': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/mysql': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/libvirt/qemu': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/libvirt/sanlock': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/libvirt/images': Permission denied
du: cannot read directory `/var/lib/libvirt/boot': Permission denied
266M    /var/lib

```

and `sudo du -sh /var/lib` gives this:

```
309M    /var/lib

```