Geoffrey Chaucer

Habit maketh no monke, ne wearing of guilt spurs maketh no
knight.

Habit maketh no monke, ne wearing of guilt spurs maketh no
knight.

Experience, though non auctoritee
Were in this world, is right ynough to me
To speke of wo read more

Experience, though non auctoritee
Were in this world, is right ynough to me
To speke of wo that is in mariage. . . .

Certes, they been lye to hounds, for an hound when he cometh by the roses, or by other bushes, though read more

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.

Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that read more

Thanne is it wysdom, as thynketh me,
To maken vertu of necessite,
And take it weel, that we may not eschu,
And namely that that to us alle is due.

This noble ensample to his sheepe he gaf,--
That firste he wroughte and after he taughte.

This noble ensample to his sheepe he gaf,--
That firste he wroughte and after he taughte.