Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

76 Enlightening Quotes By Desiderius Erasmus, The Great Humanist And Scholar

Famous As: Dutch Philosopher and Catholic Theologian Who is Considered One of the Greatest Scholars of the Northern Renaissance
Born On: October 28, 1466
Died On: July 12, 1536
Born In: Rotterdam, Netherlands
Died At Age: 69
The great European scholar Desiderius Erasmus was one of the most influential and powerful figures who lived during the Renaissance period. He was a renowned theologian, Catholic priest, teacher and social critic. Erasmus was known as a Renaissance humanist and is exalted for translating the ‘New Testament’ to Greek and Latin languages. His translation helped many writers who translated the bible for over 250 years from then. His thoughts and sayings will give you hope in times of distress. Although he advocated reformation within the ‘Roman Catholic Church’, he never questioned The Pope or The Church. His books like ‘On Free Will’, ‘The Praise of Folly’, ‘Handbook of a Christian Knight’, and ‘On Civility in Children’ earned him great fame. Desiderius Erasmus is considered to be one of the greatest literary figures and pioneer scholars. His thoughts, sayings and quotations motivated people to think about their actions towards a better life. Here are some of his inspiring quotes that do the same.
When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.

When I have a little money, I buy books; and if I have any left, I buy food and clothes.

Desiderius Erasmus

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
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?

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
The more ignorant, reckless and thoughtless a doctor is, the higher his reputation soars even amongst powerful princes.

The more ignorant, reckless and thoughtless a doctor is, the higher his reputation soars even amongst powerful princes.

Desiderius Erasmus
Fools are without number.

Fools are without number.

Desiderius Erasmus
Concealed talent brings no reputation.

Concealed talent brings no reputation.

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

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

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

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

Desiderius Erasmus
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.

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
Prevention is better than cure.

Prevention is better than cure.

Desiderius Erasmus
There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.

There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.

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

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

Desiderius Erasmus
Fortune favors the audacious.

Fortune favors the audacious.

Desiderius Erasmus
Man is to man either a god or a wolf.

Man is to man either a god or a wolf.

Desiderius Erasmus
By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.

By a Carpenter mankind was made, and only by that Carpenter can mankind be remade.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

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
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.

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

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

Desiderius Erasmus
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.

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

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

Desiderius Erasmus
Time takes away the grief of men.

Time takes away the grief of men.

Desiderius Erasmus
It is an unscrupulous intellect that does not pay to antiquity its due reverence.

It is an unscrupulous intellect that does not pay to antiquity its due reverence.

Desiderius Erasmus
Don't give your advice before you are called upon.

Don't give your advice before you are called upon.

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

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

Desiderius Erasmus
In the country of the blind the one eyed man is king.

In the country of the blind the one eyed man is king.

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

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

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

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

Desiderius Erasmus
No one respects a talent that is concealed.

No one respects a talent that is concealed.

Desiderius Erasmus
To know nothing is the happiest life.

To know nothing is the happiest life.

Desiderius Erasmus