Desiderius Erasmus

Change as the Lifelong Condition for Relevance

Erasmus knew from experience that unfinished work is the only kind that lives. He repeatedly revised his Greek New Testament, from the first edition in 1516 through later corrections in 1519, 1522, 1527, and 1535—an edit...

Question Comfort; Courage Opens New Realms of Possibility

Erasmus’s aphorism distills a humanist conviction: comfort prefers the familiar story, while questions pry open its seams. In Praise of Folly (1509) mocked learned complacency, showing how easy certainties can calcify in...

Give Light, and the Darkness Will Disappear of Itself – Desiderius Erasmus

The quote suggests that introducing positivity, knowledge, or goodness naturally removes negativity or ignorance.

In the World of the Blind, the One-Eyed Man Is King — Desiderius Erasmus

This quote suggests that someone with even a slight advantage or superior knowledge can dominate or lead in a group where others lack that quality entirely.

A Nail Is Driven Out by Another Nail; Habit Is Overcome by Habit - Desiderius Erasmus

This quote suggests that just as one nail can be driven out by another, a habit can only be effectively changed or replaced by another habit rather than simply being discarded.