The Praise of Folly: Second Edition (Yale Nota Bene) [Paperback]

Desiderius Erasmus (Author), Professor Clarence H. Miller (Translator)

Book Description

Series: Yale Nota Bene | Publication Date: February 8, 2003

First published in Paris in 1511, "The Praise of Folly" has enjoyed enormous and highly controversial success from the author's lifetime down to our own day. "The Folly" has no rival, except perhaps Thomas More's "Utopia", as the most intense and lively presentation of the literary, social and theological aims and methods of Northern Humanism. Clarence H. Miller's translation of "The Praise of Folly", based on the definitive Latin text, seeks to echo Erasmus' own lively style while retaining the nuances of the original text. In his introduction, Miller places the work in the context of Erasmus as humanist and theologian. In the afterword, William H. Gass playfully considers the meaning, or meanings, of folly and offers fresh insights into one of the great books of Western literature.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An eminently reliable and fully annotated edition based on the Latin text." Library Journal "Exciting and brilliant, this is likely to be the definitive translation of The Praise of Folly into English." Richard J. Schoeck

About the Author

Clarence H. Miller, now emeritus, is Dorothy McBride Orthwein Professor of English Literature at St. Louis University. He served as executive editor of the fifteen-volume Yale Edition of The Complete Works of St. Thomas More and is the translator of More's Utopia, published by Yale University Press. William H. Gass, whose most recent novel is The Tunnel, is one of America's foremost living writers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press; 2 edition (February 8, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300097344
• ISBN-13: 978-0300097344
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #426,183 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

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1 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hypocrisy and Wanton behavior, January 1, 2009

By 

Philip S Roeda (Cook, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Praise of Folly: Second Edition (Yale Nota Bene) (Paperback)

by those who are entrusted with responsibility: Prince-Kings, Pope- Cardinals, and even a monk should go after their duties in a more Spartan manner. To hold a responsibility and have others count on you should mean one behaves without frugality and strict prudence. Erasmus of Rotterdam makes the argument that those who should be the most serious live their life with the most disregard. Folly can be and is often outright criminal behavior. Folly can be the most serious of sin. To live a life of drunkenness, whoring, or financially ripping people off. Folly may be the misuse of office. Folly can be the outright pursuit of trivia and distraction. When position entrust you with the well being of others being lazy, getting up late, not being at work, spending your days eating, being entertained , and fill your days personal pursuits is all folly. To represent you as working and leading the government is hypocrisy. The same can be said for leading the church.

Erasmus of Rotterdam is also highly critical of the monastic life. Not as one who avoids hard work. He does accuse a certain segment as doing such; But also to argue if one follows the letter of discipline as just as much folly because the participant does not work either to further God's Kingdom or the general well being on earth. He accuses the participants of being self absorbed and not really humble. Highly critical of monks and monastic life as not being self sacrificing, but self gratifying: To be perceived as wise but in truth teaching trivia. To follow the trivia of the monastery but to be disobedient to God's Will.

The author is also highly critical of certain teachings of the Church as Folly. He argues the Theological teaching Transubstantiation as folly. He also argues the Church use of dispensation and time off from purgatory is folly. The pursuit of financial gain individually is folly. To misinform people so the infrastructure of the Church can be stronger is folly. He does the same with Prince and King. To this he argues the going to war and to build up armies so he and others can live for glory is all but folly. He also argues the misuse of the general welfare of it all.

The argument is made what is wise to man is foolishness to God. What is wise to God is foolishness to man. Yes this is in the Bible. Did Paul actually argue that all things consider prudent by the heathen would be foolish to those that follow Christ? I would argue no. Did Paul argue that certain teachings by Paul through the power of the Holy Spirit are wise, but would be perceived as purely stupid by those who do not know Christ as Savior? Does the Pagan hold and express certain ideas that contradict with what is taught in the Bible? Does the Pagan consider such thoughts as wise? Do certain Christians agree as not to appear foolish in the Pagan's eyes? I argue Erasmus misuses the argument of Folly and Foolishness.

Praise of Folly seems overly self gratuitous to the author and critical of others to make himself seem better. The argument is made, just not well. It could have been clearer and less self congratulating: Maybe the comedic intent.