But rather wolde he yeven, out of doute,
Unto his povre parisshens aboute
Of his offring, and eek of his substaunce.
He koude in litel thyng have suffisaunce.
– Geoffrey Chaucer
The Canterbury Tales, General Prologue. The Parson is a very selfless, kindly and generous man. He is a stark contrast to some of other characters who pocket all they can and take from the poor. He is not interested in accumulating wealth and finds sufficiency in few possessions. In fact the Parson gives some of his offering received at mass and some of his own income to poor parishioners.