Desiderius Erasmus Quotes

Powerful Desiderius Erasmus for Daily Growth

About Desiderius Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536), renowned Dutch scholar, humanist, theologian, and social critic, was born in Rotterdam during the late medieval period. His birth name was Gerrit Gerard but he later changed it to Erasmus of Rotterdam to reflect his hometown pride. Growing up in a family of modest means, his early education was supported by scholarships, which enabled him to study Latin classics at various monasteries and universities across Europe. Erasmus' intellectual journey was heavily influenced by the ideologies of Renaissance humanism, which emphasized the importance of individual reason, classical learning, and moral character over religious dogma. In 1506, he visited Italy where he was exposed to the works of Petrarch, Boccaccio, and others, solidifying his commitment to humanistic thought. Erasmus is best known for his major works that satirized corruption within the Church, challenged doctrine, and advocated for peace and tolerance. His seminal work, "In Praise of Folly," a witty and insightful critique of society's hypocrisies, was published anonymously in 1511 to avoid censorship. Another influential text, "The Praise of the New Learning," defended humanism and the importance of classical learning against traditional scholasticism. Erasmus' work on the New Testament, "Novum Instrumentum omne," published between 1516-1522, offered a critical edition of the Greek New Testament based on multiple manuscript sources, which significantly impacted biblical scholarship and modern translations. Despite his numerous contributions to literature, philosophy, and theology, Erasmus never held a permanent position at any university. Instead, he moved frequently, always seeking patronage from influential figures in the Church and royal courts. His influence continued long after his death, shaping religious discourse during the Reformation and earning him recognition as one of the most important figures of the Northern Renaissance.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."

This quote by Desiderius Erasmus implies that in environments where competence or wisdom is lacking, even a modest amount of ability or knowledge can make one stand out and gain influence. Essentially, it suggests that when there is little or no competition, the person with even marginal talents rises to prominence. It's a humbling reminder that context can greatly impact our relative worth and significance.


"Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."

This quote by Desiderius Erasmus emphasizes that actions should speak louder than words in sharing one's beliefs or values, particularly in the context of spreading religious teachings (the "gospel"). In other words, living according to one's faith is often more impactful and convincing than simply speaking about it. The use of words is reserved for situations when it becomes necessary, implying that actions should be the primary means of communication. Essentially, it's a call to live one's beliefs sincerely and authentically.


"The more you read, the more things you will know; The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

This quote emphasizes the power of knowledge and education. Reading broadens one's perspective by exposing them to various ideas, experiences, and cultures, thus increasing their knowledge. By continuously learning, individuals can expand their horizons, which in turn opens up opportunities for exploration and growth, symbolized by "the more places you'll go." In essence, the quote underscores that knowledge is a catalyst for personal development and travel, both literally and metaphorically.


"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint."

This quote by Desiderius Erasmus serves as a warning against blindly trusting health advice, particularly when it's from written sources. It suggests that one should be discerning and skeptical, realizing that mistakes (misprints) in information can have serious consequences, especially when dealing with health-related matters. In other words, always verify health information from multiple reliable sources before applying it to oneself.


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

This quote by Desiderius Erasmus highlights the value he places on knowledge and learning. He prioritizes books (knowledge) over physical needs like food and clothing, suggesting a deep appreciation for intellectual growth. It also implies that the pursuit of education can be a source of happiness and fulfillment in life, even when basic necessities are scarce.


Luther was guilty of two great crimes - he struck the Pope in his crown, and the monks in their belly.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Belly, Crimes, Pope, Monks

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.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Nature, Seed, Which, Envious

In the kingdom of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Brainy, King, Blind, Kingdom

By burning Luther's books you may rid your bookshelves of him, but you will not rid men's minds of him.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Minds, Burning, Books, Luther

He who allows oppression shares the crime.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Oppression, Crime, He, Shares

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

- Desiderius Erasmus

War, Delightful, Had, No Experience

It's the generally accepted privilege of theologians to stretch the heavens, that is the Scriptures, like tanners with a hide.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Stretch, Hide, Theologians, Scriptures

Everybody hates a prodigy, detests an old head on young shoulders.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Head, Shoulders, Everybody, Prodigy

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.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Nature, Possession, Which, Profit

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

- Desiderius Erasmus

Wisdom, Prosperity, Worst, Thou

The entire world is my temple, and a very fine one too, if I'm not mistaken, and I'll never lack priests to serve it as long as there are men.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Serve, Very, Entire World, Priests

Fortune favors the audacious.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Brainy, Fortune, Favors, Audacious

Now I believe I can hear the philosophers protesting that it can only be misery to live in folly, illusion, deception and ignorance, but it isn't -it's human.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Believe, Misery, Folly, Protesting

Human affairs are so obscure and various that nothing can be clearly known.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Obscure, Known, Various, Human Affairs

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

- Desiderius Erasmus

Truth, Mind, Far, Formed

Concealed talent brings no reputation.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Talent, Reputation, Brings, Concealed

No one respects a talent that is concealed.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Talent, Respects, Concealed

Fools are without number.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Number, Without, Fools

A good portion of speaking will consist in knowing how to lie.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Knowing, How, Speaking, Consist

Whether a party can have much success without a woman present I must ask others to decide, but one thing is certain, no party is any fun unless seasoned with folly.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Woman, Folly, One Thing, Party

Everyone knows that by far the happiest and universally enjoyable age of man is the first. What is there about babies which makes us hug and kiss and fondle them, so that even an enemy would give them help at that age?

- Desiderius Erasmus

Give, Everyone, Which, Hug

Reflection is a flower of the mind, giving out wholesome fragrance; but revelry is the same flower, when rank and running to seed.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Reflection, Mind, Seed, Rank

Prevention is better than cure.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Better, Than, Cure, Prevention

Great abundance of riches cannot be gathered and kept by any man without sin.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Abundance, Cannot, Riches, Gathered

Great eagerness in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or honor, cannot exist without sin.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Wealth, Pleasure, Exist, Eagerness

What difference is there, do you think, between those in Plato's cave who can only marvel at the shadows and images of various objects, provided they are content and don't know what they miss, and the philosopher who has emerged from the cave and sees the real things?

- Desiderius Erasmus

Objects, Provided, Emerged, Between

Time takes away the grief of men.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Moving On, Men, Away, Grief

War is sweet to those who have not experienced it.

- Desiderius Erasmus

War, Sweet, Those, Experienced

What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.

- Desiderius Erasmus

Legacy, Name, Nothing, Paganism

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

- Desiderius Erasmus

Men, Nothing, Another, Judgments

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