Prevention is better than cure.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
(Attributed)
Quotations by:
Erasmus, Desiderius
It is the chiefest point of happiness that a man is willing to be what he is.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
(Attributed)
It is part of the highest civility if, while never erring yourself, you ignore the errors of others.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
(Attributed)
When I get a little money, I buy books; and if any is left, I buy food and clothes.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
(Attributed)
God does not much mind bad grammar, but He does not take any particular pleasure in it.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
(Attributed)
Love that has nothing but beauty to keep it in good health is short-lived, and apt to have ague fits.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
(Attributed)
Quoted without citation in numerous 19th Century works, including John Timbs, Laconics: Or, The Best Words of the Best Authors (1829).
Out of sight, out of mind.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
Adagia (1500)
In the country of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
Adagia, 3.4.96 (1508)
Whatever the form, whether prose or verse, or whatever the theme, write, write, and again write.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
De Ratione Studii (1511)
Many times what cannot be refuted by arguments can be parried by laughter.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
In Praise of Folly, ch. 25 (1509) (trans. H. H. Hudson (1941))
Consider as well that, however one may sing the praises of those who by their virtue either defend or increase the glory of their country, their actions only affect worldly prosperity, and within narrow limits. But the man who sets fallen learning on its feet (and this is almost more difficult than to originate it in the first place) is building up a sacred and immortal thing, and serving not one province alone but all peoples and all generations. Once this was the task of princes, and it was the greatest glory of Ptolemy. But his library was contained between the narrow walls of its own house, and Aldus is building up a library which has no other limits than the world itself.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
The Adages, “Make Haste Slowly [Festina Lente]” (1508 ed.)
(Source)
Discussing the Aldine Press, the first modern publishing house. In Margaret Mann Phillips, ed., Erasmus on His Times (1967).
There are no vices more dangerous than those which simulate virtue.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
The Handbook of the Christian Soldier [Enchiridion Militis Christiani], sec. 32b (1501) [tr. Fantazzi (1989)]
(Source)
Alternate translation:No sins are more dangerous than those which have the appearance of virtue.
[tr. Himelick (1963), ch. 14]
The better part of happiness is to wish to be what you are.
Desiderius Erasmus (1465-1536) Dutch humanist philosopher and scholar
The Praise of Folly, ch. 10 (1509) [tr. Hudson (1941)]