Marie de France

"Fairest and dearest, your wrath and anger are more heavy than I can bear; but learn that I cannot tell what you wish me to say without sinning against my honour too grievously."

"If one of two lovers is loyal, and the other jealous and false, how may their friendship last, for Love is slain!"

"There are divers men who make a great show of loyalty, and pretend to such discretion in the hidden things they hear, that at the end folk come to put faith in them."

"Now will I rehearse before you a very ancient Breton Lay. As the tale was told to me, so, in turn, will I tell it over again, to the best of my art and knowledge. Hearken now to my story, its why and its reason."

"For above all things Love means sweetness, and truth, and measure; yea, loyalty to the loved one and to your word. And because of this I dare not meddle with so high a matter."

"I love no woman, for love is a serious business, not a jest."

"The fool shouts loudly thinking to impress the world."

"Whoever has received knowledgeand eloquence in speech from Godshould not be silent or secretivebut demonstrate it willingly. When a great good is widely heard of,then, and only then, does it bloom,and when that good is praised by man,it has spread its blossoms."