9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Impressive Intellect, November 1, 2006
This review is from: The Erasmus Reader (Paperback)
In this volume a reader can take in Erasmus as he tackles questions ranging from warfare between Christian kingdoms to the place of classical rhetoric in Christian education to what to do when one must break wind at a banquet table. Each essay has Erasmus's gentle, deliberative touch, and Rummel's translation of "In Praise of Folly" is the best that I've encountered.
The book's binding has held up for nearly ten years now, and Rummel's translations convey a smoothness and learned style that make each of the great humanist's pieces a joy to read. These short pieces have become welcome respites to enjoy in my own breaks from the ardor of Calvin and the fury of Milton.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Renaissance Scholar and a Founding Father of Modern Europe, August 16, 2009
This review is from: The Erasmus Reader (Paperback)
The editor's stated goal is to introduce readers to a broad range of representative samples of Erasmus' work, focussing on education, ethics, politics and social criticism. Works requiring specialised knowledge, such as his biblical exegesis, are not included. Each text is preceded by a short introduction from the editor regarding the context.
The writings of Erasmus are a great pleasure to read and an essential part of European culture. The book is sufficient for beginners because it includes a short introduction from the editor as well as two introductions written by Erasmus himself, a short resumé of his life and a lengthy catalogue and defence of his writings. The book has a beautiful cover and the formatting is reader-friendly.
I recommend this book, assuming that there are no substantially better anthologies out there. I have only two criticisms. First, the text has a number of typographical errors - surprising for a third edition. Second, the footnotes are often barren of explanation. Some are helpful but most are succinct references to the complete works of Erasmus or other books. Granted how much could have been explained, the sparse footnotes are a disservice to the reader, especially to students.
The remainder of this review consists of notes about the man and some quotes. Erasmus (born circa 1469, died 1536) was an unusually gifted man, perhaps the most gifted master of classical Latin and Greek, who led an unusually peripatetic life and thereby spread Christian Humanism across Europe during the Renaissance. He knew Italy well, where the Renaissance first exploded and where the Church had become a mockery of its professed values. He was a thinker and a poet and was happy never to have been a leader. He addressed his writings to scholars. He wrote profoundly and copiously. Among his many themes was his constant criticism of contemporary Christianity having little to do with the original Christ and his teachings. His books were reprinted many, many times. Perhaps Erasmus was the first living author to become a "media superstar" thanks to the relatively new printing press. By the 1530's, the writings of Erasmus accounted for 10 to 20 percent of all book sales. He was hugely influential. He honestly and openly criticised the Church and society, but always with a sense of loyalty. He was careful to maintain his support among powerful people (including popes and cardinals). He was proud to have avoided criticising anyone by name, but by the age of 50 he was forced to do so to defend himself. He wrote new Latin and Greek versions of the New Testament including important corrections to earlier standard works. Scholastics had great difficulty comprehending how their beloved old texts were so clearly shown to be flawed. His critiques were taken up by Reformists, forcing Erasmus to be a lone voice calling for moderation between the thoroughly corrupt Church and the increasingly radical Reformation. Erasmus correctly foresaw the great lakes of blood that would be spilt as a result of the tension between these two mighty forces. His neutrality was despised by both camps. He was dismayed for the people and the faith, but also because the gigantic crisis overwhelmed and crushed his efforts for Christian Humanism. The Inquisition declared his works to be heretical. He died in Basel, Switzerland, having long lost his former popularity. Despite his huge erudition he heartily adopted the anti-semitism and misogyny of the Church and of society.
Some quotes:
"...the beginning and the end, indeed the total sum of man's happiness, are founded upon a good upbringing and education.... Economy has its place everywhere except in education."
"Gaiety and charm - these are the qualities that belong to youth. In fact, dullness and harshness ought to be entirely banished from all study. The ancients, if I'm not mistaken, expressed the same idea when they attributed to the Muses radiant beauty, song and dance enjoyed amid pleasant groves, and furthermore gave them the Graces as companions; for they believed that success in study depended on good will between student and master; this is why they applied the term `humanities' to literary studies."
"....it is astonishing the airs they [i.e., some theologians] give themselves, for nothing is so arrogant than ignorance.... though stupid as pigs and not equipped even with the common feelings of humanity, they suppose themselves to hold the citadel of all wisdom.... Nothing is so brazen, so pig-headed, as ignorance. These are the men who conspire with such zeal against the humanities."
"Many bad men would be less bad if deprived of their wealth; but it is not a good man's business to rob anyone of his property in order to make him better."
[The Luther Affair] "As for me, I keep myself uncommitted, so far as I can, in hopes of being able to do more for the revival of good literature."
"My own work has lost a great part of the good effect I hope for, thanks to him [Luther]."
"I am all for moderation, and the reason why I have a bad name with both sides is that I exhort both parties to adopt a more peaceable policy."
"I reckon any profit that accrues to humane studies as though it were money in my own purse; it is for their sake that I have wooed the favour of princes."
[Letter to a friend] "That you are patriotic will be praised by many and easily forgiven by everyone; but in my opinion it is wiser to treat men and things as though we held this world the common fatherland of all."
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