Quotes and anectdotes from the wise to the foolish, and the courageous to the drunk

Desiderius Erasmus Philosopher

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: Netherlands
  • Born: Oct 27, 1466
  • Died: Jul 12, 1536

Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, or simply Erasmus, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian.

Erasmus was a classical scholar who wrote in a pure Latin style. Amongst humanists, he enjoyed the sobriquet "Prince of the Humanists"; he has been called "the crowning glory of the Christian humanists". Using humanist techniques for working on texts, he prepared important new Latin and Greek editions of the New Testament. These raised questions that would be influential in the Protestant Reformation and Catholic Counter-Reformation. He also wrote On Free Will, The Praise of Folly, Handbook of a Christian Knight, On Civility in Children, Copia: Foundations of the Abundant Style, Julius Exclusus, and many other works.

Erasmus lived against the backdrop of the growing European religious Reformation; but while he was critical of the abuses within the Church and called for reform, he kept his distance from Luther and Melanchthon and continued to recognise the authority of the pope.

To know nothing is the happiest life. life

Man's mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth. truth

If you keep thinking about what you want to do or what you hope will happen, you don't do it, and it won't happen. hope

Humility is truth. truth

The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war. peace & war

It is the chiefest point of happiness that a man is willing to be what he is. happiness

It is wisdom in prosperity, when all is as thou wouldn't have it, to fear and suspect the worst. fear & wisdom

Nothing is as peevish and pedantic as men's judgments of one another. men

Women, can't live with them, can't live without them. women

War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it. experience & war

War is sweet to those who have not experienced it. war

Your library is your paradise. education

The desire to write grows with writing. communication

Time takes away the grief of men. men & sad

When I get a little money I buy books and if any is left I buy food and clothes. education, food & money