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

What this quote means

To engage in prayer, one must also purify oneself both spiritually and physically.

Geoffrey Chaucer’s quote suggests that prayer requires discipline and a certain degree of self-control. It emphasizes the importance of not only seeking spiritual connection through prayer but also preparing oneself by fasting and nurturing one's physical body. This demonstrates the holistic approach to spirituality that intertwines the physical, mental, and spiritual realms.

Themes

PrayerFastingSpiritualityPuritySelf-Control

In practice

Example use cases

In a sermon emphasizing the importance of self-discipline, a pastor might reference this quote.

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