Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, known as Erasmus of Rotterdam, or simply Erasmus, was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian...
NationalityDutch
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth26 October 1466
mother nature heart
Nature, more of a stepmother than a mother in several ways, has sown a seed of evil in the hearts of mortals, especially in the more thoughtful men, which makes them dissatisfied with their own lot and envious of another s.
men differences wife
I doubt if a single individual could be found from the whole of mankind free from some form of insanity. The only difference is one of degree. A man who sees a gourd and takes it for his wife is called insane because this happens to very few people.
sweet peace war
War is sweet to those who have not experienced it.
men criticism pedants
Nothing is as peevish and pedantic as men's judgments of one another.
grief men
Time takes away the grief of men.
sacred rage profit
Nowadays the rage for possession has got to such a pitch that there is nothing in the realm of nature, whether sacred or profane, out of which profit cannot be squeezed.
reputation talent concealed
Concealed talent brings no reputation.
elements want chiefs
The chief element of happiness is this: to want to be what you are.
choices chance should
Given a choice between a folly and a sacrament, one should always choose the folly—because we know a sacrament will not bring us closer to god and there’s always the chance that a folly will.
eye special causes
Anything which causes trouble has special merit in their eyes.
life wise laughter
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.
eye religion atheism
The opinion formulated by the Church has more value in my eyes than human reasons, whatever they may be.
dog culture bones
Do not put chewed bones back on plates. Instead, throw them on the floor for the dog.
book library christianity
Do not be guilty of possessing a library of learned books while lacking learning yourself.