Art Quote by Geoffrey Chaucer
““But for to telle yow al hir beautee, It lyth nat in my tonge, n'yn my konnyng; I dar nat undertake so heigh a thyng. Myn Englissh eek is insufficient. It moste been a rethor excellent That koude his colours longynge for that art, If he sholde hire discryven every part. I am noon swich, I moot speke as I kan.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: The Canterbury Tales, 14th century
The speaker admits limited skill in a language, expressing humility and the difficulty of mastering complex expression.
In simple terms: He feels unable to speak well in English.
Key Takeaway
Accept language limits and seek improvement.
Themes
humility
language
learning
Mood
thoughtful
scholarly
Type
educational
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- public speaking
- language learning
- translation
Key Concepts
linguistics
medieval literature
self-awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- What barriers do you face when learning a new language?
- How can humility improve communication?
A Different Perspective
Pride may hinder honest self-assessment.
