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Primary sourceBook1913

The Praise of Folly

Erasmus · 1913

Erasmus's satirical essay in English translation, a key text showing his humanist wit and criticism of the church, in a 1913 edition.

This is Erasmus's own satirical masterpiece, shown here in a later English translation, central to his reputation as a humanist wit.

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The Praise of FollyPDF · 222 pages
Erasmus, The Praise of Folly, trans. John Wilson (1668), ed. P. S. Allen, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1913. Scanned book, Internet Archive.

About this source

What it is

This is a 1913 English edition of Erasmus's satirical essay The Praise of Folly, originally written in 1509 and translated into English by John Wilson in 1668. This edition includes an introduction by Mrs. P. S. Allen and was printed at the Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Why it matters

The Praise of Folly is one of Erasmus's most famous works, part of a wave of satirical 'Fool Literature' written before the Reformation that mocked the gap between religious principle and practice. The essay shows Erasmus's sharp wit and his willingness to criticize abuses within the Church using satire rather than direct argument.

Look closer

  • Why might satire have been a safer or more effective way to criticize the church than direct criticism?
  • This is a later printed edition and translation, not Erasmus's original 1509 Latin text — how might that change the words we read?
  • What kinds of 'folly' might Erasmus have been pointing to in his own society?

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.

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