Quotes by Desiderius Erasmus

About Desiderius Erasmus:

Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus was a Dutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, social critic, teacher, and theologian.
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He who allows oppression shares the crime.

Desiderius Erasmus

No one respects a talent that is concealed.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit.

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 see...

Desiderius Erasmus

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.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

Prevention is better than cure.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

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.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

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.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

Concealed talent brings no reputation.

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

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

Desiderius Erasmus

Before you sleep, read something that is exquisite, and worth remembering.

Desiderius Erasmus

Young bodies are like tender plants, which grow and become hardened to whatever shape you've trained them.

Desiderius Erasmus

Author Bio

  • NameDesiderius Erasmus
  • DescriptionDutch Renaissance humanist, Catholic priest, and theologian
  • AliasesErasmus of Rotterdam; Erasmus
  • BornNovember 6, 1469
  • DiedJuly 12, 1536
  • CountryNetherlands
  • ProfessionWriter; Philosopher; Theologian; Translator; Teacher; Essayist
  • WorksThe Praise Of Folly; A Handbook On Manners For Children