The Praise of Folly

Introduction

In 1509, crossing the Alps from Italy to England, Erasmus conceived this book on horseback; arriving in London, he stayed in the house of his friend Thomas More and wrote it in a week. Its Latin title, Moriae Encomium, can also be read as 'In Praise of More'. Folly herself mounts the platform to sing her own praises: without her, mankind would neither marry nor have children, there would be no friendship and no pleasure, and no state could exist. As she goes on, her speech grows sharper, mocking in turn conceited scholars, quibbling theologians, greedy monks, luxurious bishops and warlike popes. Witty and full of humour, this masterpiece of satire swept Europe and helped open the way to the Reformation.