For tyme ylost may nought recovered be.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
. . . if gold rust, what then will iron do?/ For if a priest be foul in whom we trust/ No wonder that a common man should rust. . . .
Interpretation
What this quote means
If those we look up to are flawed, it’s no surprise that common people struggle too.
Geoffrey Chaucer's quote highlights the influence of role models on society. It suggests that when those in positions of trust and authority, such as priests, exhibit flaws or corruption, it serves as a poor example for others, leading to a general decline in moral standards. The metaphor of gold rusting symbolizes the deterioration of virtue among the supposed paragons of society, implying that if even the finest can tarnish, it is expected that the average person may also falter.
Themes
GoldRustPriestTrustMoralityInfluenceSociety
In practice
Example use cases
A leader in a community is under scrutiny; this quote illustrates the importance of integrity.
More from Geoffrey Chaucer
All quotes →For in their hearts doth Nature stir them so Then people long on pilgrimage to go And palmers to be seeking foreign strands To distant shrines renowned in sundry lands.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
If gold rusts, what then can iron do?
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
Thus with hir fader for a certeyn space_x000D_ _x000D_ Dwelleth this flour of wyfly pacience,_x000D_ _x000D_ That neither by hir wordes ne hir face_x000D_ _x000D_ Biforn the folk, ne eek in her absence,_x000D_ _x000D_ Ne shewed she that hir was doon offence.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
Ther nis no werkman, whatsoevere he be, That may bothe werke wel and hastily.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
For oute of olde feldys, as men sey,_x000D_ _x000D_ Comyth al this newe corn from yer to yere;_x000D_ _x000D_ And out of olde bokis, in good fey,_x000D_ _x000D_ Comyth al this newe science that men lere.
Geoffrey ChaucerRead
Similar quotes
I don't stretch my hand out anymore, but I never get tired of waiting for the next magic.
Marlon BrandoRead
Meditation takes us just as we are, with our confusion and our sanity. This complete acceptance of ourselves as we are is called maitri, or unconditional friendliness, a simple, direct relationship with the way we are.
Pema ChodronRead
Ignorance lies not in the things you don't know, but in the things you know that ain't so.
Will RogersRead
Don't you notice that there are particular moments when you are naturally inspired to introspection? Work with them gently, for these are the moments when you can go through a powerful experience, and your whole worldview can change quickly.
Sogyal RinpocheRead
Great ideas come from everywhere if you just listen and look for them. You never know who's going to have a great idea.
Sam WaltonRead
When you strive for perfection, you compare different versions of what could be instead of being present with what is. Perfectionism is an attempt to inhabit an imaginary world in order to avoid experiencing the world in which you live.
Gary ZukavRead