Famous quotes containing the word erasmus:
“It’s the generally accepted privilege of theologians to stretch the heavens, that is the Scriptures, like tanners with a hide.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)
“Kings have many ears and many eyes.... They have ears that listen a hundred miles from them; they have eyes that espy out more things than men would think. Wherefore, it is wisdom for subjects not only to keep their princes’ laws and ordinances in the face of the world but also privily ... for conscience sake.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)
“As an example of just how useless these philosophers are for any practice in life there is Socrates himself, the one and only wise man, according to the Delphic Oracle. Whenever he tried to do anything in public he had to break off amid general laughter. While he was philosophizing about clouds and ideas, measuring a flea’s foot and marveling at a midge’s humming, he learned nothing about the affairs of ordinary life.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)