Desiderius Erasmus's 1511 satirical philosophy work presents Folly herself as narrator, delivering a mock-serious speech praising human foolishness and critiquing Renaissance society. The Dutch humanist's witty examination of wisdom, morality, and religious hypocrisy remains sharp and accessible in John Wilson's translation.
ERASMUS OF ROTTERDAM to his friend THOMAS MORE, health: As I was coming awhile since out of Italy for England, that I might not waste all that time I was to sit on horseback in foolish and illiterate fables, I chose rather one while to revolve with myself something of our common studies, and other while to enjoy the remembrance of my friends, of whom I left here some no less learned than pleasant. Among these you, my More, came first in my mind, whose memory, though absent yourself, gives me such delight in my absence, as when present with you I ever found in your company; than which, let me perish if in all my life I ever met with anything more delectable. And therefore, being satisfied that something was to be done, and that that time was no wise proper for any serious matter, I resolved to make some sport with the praise of folly. But who the devil put that in your head? you'll say. T…Continue reading →
This is the John Wilson translation, a public-domain English text. Marginalia presents it unabridged, with chapter navigation, your reading position saved, and optional AI commentary on any passage.
A Dutch Renaissance humanist and scholar (1466-1536) who became Europe's most influential intellectual through his witty social criticism and religious reform efforts. His satirical masterpiece "The Praise of Folly" brilliantly mocked human vanity and church corruption, while his scholarly work laid crucial groundwork for both the Protestant Reformation and modern biblical scholarship. All works by Desiderius Erasmus →
Browse all Philosophy · Renaissance works