The Book of Margery Kempe Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Book.Chapter.Page)

Quote #10

"[...] you are here saying worse than you know, God forgive it you, for I am that same person to whom these words are imputed, and I often suffer great shame and reproof, and I am not guilty in this matter, I take God as witness." (II.9.289)

Kempe takes to task a group of people in London who repeat a slanderous "proverb" that was written about her. The group doesn't realize that it's about her, but Kempe schools them, and they are mortified. Kempe has no concern for her own discomfort in this situation; she just wants these people to learn to be better people and not take joy in speaking ill of others.