Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1343 - October 25, 1400) was an English author, poet, philosopher, bureaucrat (courtier), and a diplomat. He is often referred to as the Father of English Literature. Although he wrote many works he is best remembered for his unfinished frame narrative The Canterbury Tales. He is sometimes credited with being the first author to demonstrate the artistic legitimacy of the vernacular English language, rather than French or Latin.

11 Quotes

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.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

People can die of mere imagination.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

Love is blind.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

We know little of the things for which we pray.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

First he wrought, and afterward he taught.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

Time and tide wait for no man.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

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

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

For this was on seynt Valentynes day, Whan every foul cometh there to chese his make, Of every kynde that men thynke may, And that so huge a noyse gan they make That erthe and eyr and tre and every lake So ful was, that unethe was there space For me to stonde, so ful was al the place.
— Geoffrey Chaucer

Whan that Aprill with his shoures soote The droghte of March hath perced to the roote, And bathed every veyne in swich licour Of which vertu engendered is the flour: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Thanne longen folk to goon on pilgrimages.
— Geoffrey Chaucer