Erasmus

:This article deals with Erasmus, the theologian. For other meanings, see Erasmus (disambiguation).

Writings

His best-known work, Praise of Folly (Latin: Moriae Encomium), was dedicated to his friend Sir Thomas More. In 1536 he wrote De puritate ecclesiae christianae in which he tried to reconcile the different parties. Many of his writings appeal to a wide audience and deal with matters of general human interest; he seems to have regarded these as trifling, a leisure activity. His more serious writings begin early with the Enchiridion Militis Christiani, the "Handbook of the Christian Soldier" (1503). In this short work, Erasmus outlines the views of the normal Christian life which he was to spend the rest of his days in elaborating. The chief evil of the day, he says, is formalism, a respect for traditions without consideration for the true teaching of Christ. The remedy is for every man to ask himself at each point: what is the essential thing? and to do this without fear. Forms may hide or quench the spirit. In his examination of the dangers of formalism, Erasmus discusses monasticism, saint-worship, war, the spirit of class and the foibles of "society", but the Enchiridion is more like a sermon than a satire. Its companion piece, the Institutio Principis Christiani (Basel, 1516), was written as advice to the young king Charles of Spain, later Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Erasmus applies the general principles of honour and sincerity to the special functions of the Prince, whom he represents throughout as the servant of the people.

Related Topics:
Praise of Folly - Latin - Thomas More - 1536 - 1503 - Monasticism - Satire - Institutio Principis Christiani - 1516 - Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor

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As a result of his reformatory activities, Erasmus found himself at odds with both the great parties. His last years were embittered by controversies with men toward whom he was sympathetic. Notable among these was Ulrich von Hutten, a brilliant, but erratic genius, who had thrown himself into the Lutheran cause and had declared that Erasmus, if he had a spark of honesty, would do the same. In his reply, Spongia adversus aspergines Hutteni (1523), Erasmus displays his skill in semantics. He accuses Hutten of having misinterpreted his utterances about reform and reiterates his determination never to take sides.

Related Topics:
Ulrich von Hutten - 1523 - Semantics

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The most important work of this last period is the Ecclesiastes or "Gospel Preacher" (Basel, 1535), in which he brings out the function of preaching as the most important office of the Christian priest, a Protestant emphasis. His little tract of 1533, "Preparation for Death", in which the emphasis throughout is on the importance of a good life as the essential condition of a happy death, shows another tendency.

Related Topics:
Basel - 1535 - 1533

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The Education of a Christian Prince was published in 1516 after Erasmus? time in Italy from 1506 to 1509, and 26 yeas before Machiavelli?s The Prince. Christian Gauss?s (1999) introduction to Machiavelli?s The Prince places its publication at about 1537 adding that it had been circulated in manuscript form, and plagiarized for many years. Although the publications were so many years apart, their comparison is worth noting. Lisa Jardin?s (1997) introduction to Erasmus?s work noted that Machiavelli set out to define princely duties to maintain control by political force, saying it is safer to be feared than loved. Erasmus, on the other hand, preferred for the prince to be loved, and suggested that the prince needed a well-rounded education in order to govern justly and benevolently. Only then can the prince?s rule avoid becoming a source of oppression. Several interesting passages about the prince?s duties are these:

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?We usually take the most care in reinforcing those shores most severely pounded by the waves. Now there are innumerable things which can distract a prince?s mind from its proper course? The distractions for Erasmus include wealth, luxury and freedom. (Jardin, p. 11). Further into the text, Erasmus wrote: ?The man at the helm cannot be a sleepyhead ? No sea ever has such severe storms as every kingdom constantly experiences. And the prince must therefore always be on his guard against going off course ? (Jardin, p. 47). The paragraph is worth reading in its entirety.

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References:

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Gauss, C. (1999). Introduction to The Prince. New York, NY: Signet. First published in 1949, p. 11.

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Jardin, L. (1997). Introduction to Erasmus: The Education of a Christian prince. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.

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