He who repeats a tale after a man, Is bound to say, as…
““He who repeats a tale after a man, Is bound to say, as nearly as he can, Each single word, if he remembers it, However rudely spoken or unfit, Or else the tale he tells will be untrue, The things invented and the phrases new.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Chaucer warns that retelling a story imperfectly leads to distortion, especially if the teller forgets words or adds false details, resulting in an untrue narrative.
In simple terms: Repeating stories inaccurately creates falsehoods.
Key Takeaway
Strive for accuracy when sharing information.
Themes
communication
truth
storytelling
memory
accuracy
Mood
reflective
educational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- historical lectures
- storytelling workshops
- media reporting
Key Concepts
narrative fidelity
oral tradition
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do storytellers have?
- How can we preserve original meaning?
A Different Perspective
Memory lapses and intentional alterations can corrupt the original tale.