Skip to main content

Primary sourceBook1877

The Apophthegmes of Erasmus

Desiderius Erasmus · 1877

A collection of witty sayings from ancient figures gathered and translated by Erasmus, shown in an 1877 reprint of a 1564 English edition.

Erasmus compiled and wrote this collection, showing his humanist love of classical wit and moral instruction.

Ask Desiderius Erasmus about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Full text (Internet Archive)

About this source

What it is

This is an 1877 reprint of the English translation of Erasmus's Apophthegmes, a collection of short, witty sayings attributed to ancient figures such as Socrates, Diogenes, and Alexander the Great. The reprint reproduces an English edition originally printed in 1564.

Why it matters

Erasmus gathered these sayings to entertain and to teach moral lessons through brief, memorable wit. The book shows how humanists like Erasmus valued classical wisdom not just in long philosophical works but in short, quotable form that could be used in education and conversation.

Look closer

  • Why might short, witty sayings have been an effective teaching tool in the Renaissance?
  • What does Erasmus's choice of figures (philosophers, kings, generals) tell you about who he thought was worth quoting?
  • This is a late 19th-century reprint of a 16th-century translation — what might change between the original Latin collection and this English version?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Desiderius Erasmus on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

More Desiderius Erasmus sources

Meet the AI Desiderius Erasmus →
Page from a 16th-century printed Latin book with a pen-and-ink marginal drawing at upper left of a figure in a hooded garment holding up a small figure of a man, with handwritten Latin notes and a printed column of Latin and Greek text beside it. The handwritten annotation reads 'Vere nobiles qui' at the top.Book

Primary source

In Praise of Folly

Erasmus · 1511 (written 1509)

Title page of the 1516 Basel edition of Erasmus's Novum Instrumentum omne, in black letter and roman type, with large capitals NOVVM IN at top, a printer's woodcut device in the center, and a printed privilege notice at the bottom. Text is in Latin.Book

Primary source

Novum Instrumentum omne

Erasmus · 1516

Title page of a 1524 book printed in Basel. Text reads 'De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio, Desiderii Erasmi Roterod', with 'Primum legito deinde iudicato' below, a printer's ornament, and 'Basileae apud Ioannem Frobenium, Anno M.D.XXIIII. Mense Septembri.' at the bottom.Book

Primary source

De libero arbitrio diatribe sive collatio

Erasmus · 1524

Scan of the title page of a 1525 book, with an ornate woodcut border of architectural arches and foliage. Central text reads 'DE SERVO ARBITRIO MARTINI Lutheri ad D. Erasmum Roterodamum' and 'Vvittembergae 1525', with a winged cherub holding a shield marked with a monogram at the bottom. A circular library stamp reads 'Ex Bibl. Paulina Monast.' and handwritten notes appear at top and right.Book

Primary source

On the Bondage of the Will

Martin Luther · 1525

Oil painting of an older man with grey hair wearing a black cap and dark fur-trimmed robe, resting his hands on a red book with gold lettering and green ribbon markers. A green curtain and carved pilaster stand behind him, with books and a glass bottle on a shelf at right.Painting

Primary source

Erasmus

Hans Holbein the Younger · 1523

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Desiderius Erasmus now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions