John Bartlett (1820–1905). Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. 1919.
38 Geoffrey Chauer 1340-1400 John Bartlett
| NUMBER: | 38 |
| AUTHOR: | Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340–1400) |
| QUOTATION: | Full wise is he that can himselven knowe. 1 |
| ATTRIBUTION: | Canterbury Tales. The Monkes Tale. Line 1449. |
| Note 1. Thales was asked what was very difficult; he said, “To know one’s self.”—Diogenes Laertius: Thales, ix. Know then thyself, presume not God to scan; The proper study of mankind is man. Alexander Pope: Epistle ii. line 1. [back] |