In Praise of Folly

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Overview

In Praise of Folly is a satirical essay by the Dutch scholar Desiderius Erasmus, written in 1509 and first printed in 1511. It is delivered as a speech by Folly, a goddess who praises herself and shows that human life depends on illusion, self-love and foolishness. Beneath the comedy, Erasmus attacks pompous scholars, greedy clergy and warlike rulers, and he points to a deeper Christian simplicity.

Context

Erasmus was the leading humanist of northern Europe. He wrote the work while travelling to England, and he dedicated it to his friend Thomas More, whose name matches the Greek word for folly. The book appeared before Luther's break with Rome. Erasmus himself remained within the Catholic Church, but his criticisms were later used by reformers, to his discomfort.