Chaucer Quotes

A collection of quotes by Chaucer.

Geoffrey Chaucer (1343-1400) was an English poet, philosopher, and diplomat. He is widely regarded as the greatest English poet of the Middle Ages and is best known for his masterpiece, "The Canterbury Tales." Chaucer's work revolutionized English literature by popularizing the use of vernacular language instead of Latin. He held various government positions and traveled extensively, which greatly influenced his writing. Chaucer's works reflect his keen observations of society, humor, and his deep understanding of human nature. His contributions to English literature continue to be celebrated and studied to this day.

Take a cat, nourish it well with milkAnd tender meat, make i

Take a cat, nourish it well with milkAnd tender meat, make it a couch of silk,But let it see a mouse along the wallAnd it abandones milk and meat and all.

Cats

The guilty think all talk is of themselves.

The guilty think all talk is of themselves.

Guilt

The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people.

The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people.

Wisdom

Nowhere so busy a man as he than he, and yet he seemed busie

Nowhere so busy a man as he than he, and yet he seemed busier than he was.

Work

Ye been oure lord, dooth with youre owene thyngRight as yow

Ye been oure lord, dooth with youre owene thyngRight as yow list.

Time and tide wait for no man.

Time and tide wait for no man.

Time

First he wrought, and afterward he taught.

First he wrought, and afterward he taught.

Teaching

Certes, they been lye to hounds, for an hound when he cometh

Certes, they been lye to hounds, for an hound when he cometh by the roses, or by other bushes, though he may nat pisse, yet wole he heve up his leg and make a countenance to pisse.

Habits

We know little of the things for which we pray.

We know little of the things for which we pray.

Prayer

People can die of mere imagination.

People can die of mere imagination.

Imagination