Erasmus's most famous sayings
The top 3 according to 36 votes from people: The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war. · He gives twice who gives quickly. · In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king.. (Updated Nov 14, 2022.)
'In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king', 'The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war' and life as a play from The Praise of Folly: Erasmus's most quoted lines, from the Adagia, his letters and his books.
Automatically translated (original in Español). See the original
Top 12
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1
The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war.
Adagia (1508).
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2
He gives twice who gives quickly.
Adagia: 'Bis dat, qui cito dat'.
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3
In the country of the blind the one-eyed man is king.
Adagia: 'In regione caecorum rex est luscus'.
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4
War is sweet to those who have not tried it.
Adagia: 'Dulce bellum inexpertis', a Greek saying (Pindar) on which Erasmus wrote at length.
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5
This world, the whole of the planet called earth, is the common country of all who live and breathe upon it.
The Complaint of Peace (1517).
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6
For what is life but a play in which everyone acts a part until the curtain comes down?
The Praise of Folly (1511).
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7
You must acquire the best knowledge first, and without delay; it is madness to learn what you will later have to unlearn.
Letter to Christian Northoff (1497).
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8
I am a citizen of the world, known to all and to all a stranger.
Attributed; quoted by György Faludy in his biography of Erasmus (1970).
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9
I have turned my whole attention to Greek. As soon as I get money, I shall buy Greek authors first, and then clothes.
Letter (1500), in Latin.
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10
No man is wise at all times, or is without his blind side.
Colloquies, 'The Alchemist'.
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11
I am a lover of liberty. I will not and I cannot serve a party.
Spongia adversus aspergines Hutteni (1523).
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12
Do not be guilty of possessing a library of learned books while lacking learning yourself.
Letter to Christian Northoff (1497).
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (1)
Lo de comprar primero libros griegos y luego ropa es lo más de estudiante que he leído en mi vida 😂