We know little of the things for which we pray.

Meaning of the quote

This quote means that often we ask for things without really understanding what they are or what they truly involve. We may pray for something, but not realize the full impact or consequences of getting that thing. Our wishes and prayers are sometimes made without truly knowing the details of what we're asking for.

About Geoffrey Chaucer

Geoffrey Chaucer was an English poet, author, and civil servant best known for his masterpiece, The Canterbury Tales. He was a pioneer in the use of Middle English and is considered the “father of English literature.” Chaucer also had a diverse career, serving as a philosopher, astronomer, bureaucrat, and member of parliament.

More about the author

More quotes from Geoffrey Chaucer

Women desire six things: They want their husbands to be brave, wise, rich, generous, obedient to wife, and lively in bed.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Filth and old age, I’m sure you will agree, are powerful wardens upon chastity.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Murder will out, this my conclusion.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Love is blind.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Forbid us something, and that thing we desire.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

People can die of mere imagination.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

The greatest scholars are not usually the wisest people.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

By nature, men love newfangledness.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Time and tide wait for no man.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Whoso will pray, he must fast and be clean, And fat his soul, and make his body lean.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

First he wrought, and afterward he taught.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

And she was fair as is the rose in May.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

There’s never a new fashion but it’s old.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

Nowhere so busy a man as he than he, and yet he seemed busier than he was.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

There’s no workman, whatsoever he be, That may both work well and hastily.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

The guilty think all talk is of themselves.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

He was as fresh as is the month of May.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

We know little of the things for which we pray.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author

The life so short, the crafts so long to learn.

Geoffrey Chaucer

14th century English poet and author