Quotes from Desiderius Erasmus

To know nothing is the happiest life.

Fools are without number.

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

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 sees the real things?

It seems to me to be the best proof of an evangelical disposition, that persons are not angry when reproached, and have a Christian charity for those that ill deserve it.

War is delightful to those who have had no experience of it.

He who allows oppression shares the crime.

When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.

Everyone knows that by far the happiest and universally enjoyable age of man is the first. What is there about babies which makes us hug and kiss and fondle them, so that even an enemy would give them help at that age?

Women, can't live with them, can't live without them.