Erasmus on His Times: A Shortened Version of the 'Adages' of ErasmusCambridge University Press, 1967 - 171 pages The Adagia of Erasmus (surely the original best-seller) was first published in 1500. It went through numerous impressions and ten major revisions in the course of Erasmus's life. Its influence was incalculable. It disseminated humanist learning and humanist attitudes among the new reading public to such an extent that it can be claimed as one of the books that contributed most to form the European mind. The adages were proverbs or popular sayings taken from classical literature. Many are part of the common stock of our speech today. A necessary evil, cupboard love, a rare bird, an iron in the fire, are all to be found in the Adagia. Erasmus refers each to its source; then follows with a commentary on the meaning and with whatever ideas and personal observations arose from it. The book's influence waned after his death. |
Contents
FROM THE 1508 EDITION | 16 |
b A mortuo tributum exigere To exact dues from | 44 |
III | 97 |
FROM LATER EDITIONS | 144 |
REMINISCENCES | 162 |
169 | |
Other editions - View all
Erasmus on His Times: A Shortened Version of the 'Adages' of Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus,Margaret Mann Phillips No preview available - 1967 |
Erasmus on His Times: A Shortened Version of the 'Adages' of Erasmus Margaret Mann Phillips No preview available - 1980 |
Erasmus on His Times: A Shortened Version of the 'Adages' of Erasmus Desiderius Erasmus,Margaret Mann Phillips No preview available - 1967 |
Common terms and phrases
Adages allows ancient appearance Aristotle arms attack authors beetle better bishops body bring called carried cause Christ Christian Church comes common consider creature danger death eagle edition enemy Erasmus especially everything evil eyes fact favour fight Finally follow Friars gave give given glory greatest Greek hand happens harm human important Italy judge killed kind king labours Latin learning leave less living look matter means mentioned mind nature neighbour never once ordered peace perhaps person pleasure possess possible praise prefer priests prince proverb reason remains riches rule seems Servite sometimes sort speak taken teaching tell things thought trouble true truly turn unless VIII wealth whole wisdom wish writings young