Praise of Folly

arts, books, religion, spirituality, society, culture, philosophy · EN

Praise of Folly (Greek Morias Enkomion, Latin Stultitiae Laus) is a brilliant satirical essay penned by Desiderius Erasmus in 1509, which has left a lasting impact on Western literature and played a pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation. In this thought-provoking work, Folly delivers a humorous yet incisive encomium, echoing the style of the ancient satirist Lucian. As the essay unfolds, it shifts from lighthearted banter to a more serious critique, addressing the self-deception and madness of humanity while scrutinizing the superstitions and corrupt practices within the Catholic Church—an institution to which Erasmus remained devoted. Drawing from his own experiences and disappointments in Rome, Erasmus crafts a narrative that is both entertaining and enlightening. The essay gained immense popularity, leading to multiple editions and translations, and was controversially placed on the Index of Forbidden Books by the Council of Trent in 1559. (Summary adapted from Wikipedia)