Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Desiderius Erasmus

Quote by Desiderius Erasmus

Work

The Praise of Folly

Written in the 16th century, this work is a critical examination of human folly, offering insights into the absurdities and vices of society. The author employs satire and irony to critique the values and behaviors of their time, providing a timeless perspective on the human condition. more

Author

Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus

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. more

You May Also Like

“Where are they now that we, the men whom they sent off to war, have returned? These are commanders who have deserted their troops, and there is no more serious crime in the law of war. The Army says they never leave their wounded. The Marines say they never leave even their dead. These men have left all the casualties and retreated behind a pious shield of public rectitude. They have left the real stuff of their reputation bleaching behind them in the sun in this country.”

“In the Army of the Shenandoah, you were the 'First Brigade!' In the Army of the Potomac you were the 'First Brigade!' In the Second Corps of this Army, you are the 'First Brigade!' You are the 'First Brigade' in the affections of your general, and I hope by your future deeds and bearing you will be handed down the posterity as the 'First Brigade' in this our Second War of Independence. Farewell!”

“Suffering is not holding you. You are holding suffering. When you become good at the art of letting sufferings go, then you'll come to realize how unnecessary it was for you to drag those burdens around with you. You'll see that no one else other than you was responsible. The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival.”

“Asking ourselves, 'Where am I right now?' gives us a chance to step outside the internal dialogue for a moment of peace. Look around you, take a deep breath and notice what you see, hear and feel. Present moment awareness is the point of power and choice. It frees us from our compulsive thoughts.”

“Your past history and all of your hurts are no longer here in your physical reality. Don't allow them to be here in your mind, muddying your present moments. Your life is like a play with several acts. Some of the characters who enter have short roles to play, others, much longer. But all are necessary, otherwise they wouldn't be in the play. Embrace them all, and move on to the next act.”