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Desiderius Erasmus Quotes

Theologian

Desiderius Erasmus was a Dutch humanist, scholar, and theologian who played a pivotal role in the Northern Renaissance. He is renowned for his scholarly contributions, particularly his translation of the New Testament into Latin and his commentary on the Bible. Erasmus was a critic of the Church and a proponent of reform, making him a controversial figure in his era.

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All Men Ifs War People Atheism Firsts Folly Knows Humans Book Giving May Mind Positive Atheism Use Whole Wisdom Wise Affair Age

Famous Desiderius Erasmus Quotes

“Out of all those centuries the Greeks can count seven sages at the most, and if anyone looks at them more closely I swear he'll not find so much as a half-wise man or even a third of a wise man among them.”

Ifs Men Looks Half Wise Century Thirds Seven Greek Swear Sage

Book:Literary and Educational Writings: Panegyricus and Philippum Austriaeducem. Moriae encomium. Dialogus Julius exclusus e coelis. Institutio principis christiani. Querela pacis

Source: Literary and Educational Writings: Panegyricus and Philippum Austriaeducem. Moriae encomium. Dialogus Julius exclusus e coelis. Institutio principis christiani. Querela pacis

“He who doesn't sin, is the greatest sinner of all.”

Wisdom Sin Wise Sinner

Author:Desiderius Erasmus

“Ask a wise man to dinner and he'll upset everyone by his gloomy silence or tiresome questions. Invite him to a dance and you'll have a camel prancing about. Haul him off to a public entertainment and his face will be enough to spoil the people's entertainment.”

People Men Enough Faces Asks Silence Wise Intelligent Entertainment Dinner Upset Invites Spoil Gloomy Camels Haul Tiresome Prancing

Book:Praise of Folly

Source: Praise of Folly

“As an example of just how useless these philosophers are for any practice in life there is Socrates himself, the one and only wise man, according to the Delphic Oracle. Whenever he tried to do anything in public he had to break off amid general laughter. While he was philosophizing about clouds and ideas, measuring a flea's foot and marveling at a midge's humming, he learned nothing about the affairs of ordinary life.”

Men Life Ideas Philosophy Break Practice Wise Feet Example Laughter Ordinary Affair Clouds Philosopher Useless Measuring Ordinary Life Fleas Oracles Humming Break Off Marveling Midges

Author:Desiderius Erasmus

“No Man is wise at all Times, or is without his blind Side.”

Men Sides Wise Blind All Time Blind Side

Book:Colloquies of Erasmus,

Source: Colloquies of Erasmus,

About the Author

Born: October 27, 1466
Died: July 12, 1536
Known for: Theologian
Quotes: 133

Books & Sources

Literary and Educational Writings: Panegyricus and Philippum Austriaeducem. Moriae encomium. Dialogus Julius exclusus e coelis. Institutio principis christiani. Querela pacisRelated source material

Praise of FollyRelated source material

The Adages of ErasmusRelated source material

In Praise of FollyRelated source material

All the Familiar Colloquies of Desiderius Erasmus, of Roterdam, Concerning Men, Manners, and ThingsRelated source material

The Correspondence of Erasmus: Letters 1 to 141, 1484-1500Related source material

The Erasmus ReaderRelated source material

Essential works of ErasmusRelated source material

The Praise of FollyRelated source material

Against WarRelated source material

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