The moral of "The Pardoner's Tale" can be best summarized as: "The love of money is the root of all evil."
Explanation:
1. In "The Pardoner's Tale," the Pardoner tells a story about three rioters who set out to kill Death, but end up betraying and killing each other over a large sum of gold coins they find under a tree.
2. Throughout the tale, the theme of greed and the destructive power of the love of money are prominent. The Pardoner emphasizes how the pursuit of wealth can lead to moral decay and ultimately bring about one's downfall.
3. The phrase "The love of money is the root of all evil" reflects the underlying message of the story that it is not money itself but the unhealthy desire and attachment to wealth that can lead individuals to commit immoral and destructive acts.
4. By focusing on the moral implications of greed and avarice, the tale serves as a cautionary lesson against the corrupting influence of the love of money and highlights the dangers of placing material wealth above moral values and human relationships.
Therefore, among the options provided, "The love of money is the root of all evil" best encapsulates the moral lesson conveyed in "The Pardoner's Tale."
