What is Geoffrey Chaucer's opinion on the merchant?

Chaucer describes the Cleric as a knowledgeable young student who would do anything to gain more knowledge. Chaucer seems to like this young man's thirst for information and his disregard for getting a job and buying nice things. "Whatever money from his friends he took, he spent on learning or another book…" The Cleric was not fat, had a hollow look, and a sober stare. He did not prefer to buy expensive stuff but "he preferred having twenty books in red and black…" Chaucer is not facetious about the Cleric because the Cleric would choose education over all. Chaucer also liked the fact that the Cleric "never spoke a Word more than was need, Formal at that, respectful in the extreme."