122
" Whether because of anger, sickness, the position of the stars, wine, woe, or a change in temperament, something does cause us full oft to say or do an untoward thing. A man may not wreak vengeance for every wrong. Temperance must be determined, according to the occasion, by every person of good judgment. And, therefore, did this wise, worthy Knight, in order to live in harmony, promise forbearance unto her, and she unto him truly swore that never would he find fault in her. "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales
125
" When Melibee had heard that the greatest part of his council were accorded that he should make war, anon did he consent to their counseling and fully affirmed their decision. Then Lady Prudence, when she saw that her husband had decided to wreak vengeance upon his foes, and to begin war, she in a most humble way, when she saw her time, said to him these words, “My Lord, I do beseech you, as heartily as I can and dare, that you do not hasten too fast and, for your own good, give me an audience. For, as Petrus Alphonsus says, ‘Whosoever does unto you either harm or good, do not hasten to requite it, for in this way your friend will abide and your enemy shall the longer live in dread.’ The proverbs say, ‘He hastens well who wisely can wait,’ and ‘In unseemly haste there is no profit. "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales
126
" Then comes idleness, which is indeed the gateway to all evils. The idle man is like unto a house which has no walls. The Devil may enter from every side and shoot at him, and tempt him from every side, for he is exposed. This idleness is the cesspool of all wicked and villainous thoughts, and the receptacle of all jabbering, backstabbing and excrement. For certain, Heaven is given to those who will labor, and not to idle folk. Also, David says, “They who do not do the labor of men shall be whipped for it.” That is to say, in Purgatory. Surely, it seems they shall be tormented by the Devil in Hell, unless they do Penitence. "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales
134
" Of Pride. And though it be so that no man can accurately tell the number of the twigs and the evils that come from Pride, yet will I show you a part of them, as you shall understand. There is Disobedience, Boasting, Hypocrisy, Contempt, Arrogance, Impudence, Swelling of Heart, Insolence, Elation, Impatience, Haughtiness, Presumption, Irreverence, Obstinacy, Vainglory, and many another twig that I can not declare. "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales
136
" What more should I say, but that the Miller would not his words forebear for any man, and told his vulgar tale in his own way. I regret that I must repeat it here and, therefore, of every refined person I pray, for the love of God, think not that I speak with evil intent, but I must relate all the stories as they are told, be they better or worse, or else be untrue to myself and my design. And, therefore, he who wishes not to read it, turn over the leaf and choose another tale. For he shall find enough, great and small, of historical matters that touch upon gentility, and also morality and holiness. Blame me not if you should choose amiss. "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales
137
" The Book says, ‘Whilst that you keep your counsel in your heart, you keep it in your prison, and, when you disclose your counsel unto any person, he holds you in his prison.’ And, therefore, it is better to hide your counsel in your heart, than entreat him to whom you have revealed your secret to keep it close and still. For Seneca says, ‘If it be so that you can not keep your own counsel, how can you then ask any person to keep your counsel hidden? "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales
139
" Lo, lo,” said Lady Prudence, “how easily is every man inclined to his own desire and to his own pleasure. Surely, the words of the Physicians should not be understood in this way. For certain, wickedness is not the contrary of wickedness, nor vengeance the contrary of vengeance, nor wrong the contrary of wrong, for, in fact, they are the same. And, therefore, one vengeance is not cured by another vengeance, nor one wrong by another wrong, but each one of them increases and aggravates the other. "
― Geoffrey Chaucer , The Canterbury Tales