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The Canterbury Tales: The Pardoner's Tale Lines 287 – 316 Summary

  • But listen to me: all of the greatest acts or victories in the Old Testament were done in abstinence and prayer through the all-powerful God.
  • Look in the Bible, and you'll see I'm right.
  • Consider Attilla, the great conqueror, who died in his sleep in shame and dishonor, bleeding out of his nose because of drunkenness.
  • A captain should be sober!
  • Also consider what was commanded of Lemuel (not Samuel, Lemuel).
  • Read the Bible and you'll find that wine drinking was forbidden to magistrates or anyone who must administer justice.
  • That's enough about that.
  • Now that I have spoken enough about gluttony, here's what I have to say about gambling.
  • Gambling is the very mother of lies, deceit, and false swearing.
  • It causes blasphemy and manslaughter, and it's a complete waste of time and money.
  • Furthermore, it's shameful and dishonorable to be regarded as a habitual gambler.
  • The higher-born someone is, the more shameful and dishonorable it is.
  • If a prince used a gambler's mentality in running his government, he'd have a terrible reputation.