The Praise Of Folly

The Praise Of Folly is a humorous and satirical work in which Folly herself speaks extolling her virtues and critiquing the foolishness inherent in human behavior. Through a lighthearted tone Erasmus invites readers to reflect on the value placed on wisdom and seriousness in life using Folly as a symbol of joy and human folly. Folly presents herself as a deity with power over both gods and men arguing that her presence brings happiness by exposing the absurdities of wisdom self-importance and social pretensions. The work explores how traits like self-love pleasure and laziness form part of Folly's “household” illustrating the far-reaching impact of these qualities on relationships and societal norms. With a mixture of wit and profundity Erasmus suggests that a life led by folly—embracing joy and imperfection—might be more fulfilling than a relentless pursuit of wisdom. The playful critique of human nature combined with the suggestion that folly can lead to a more meaningful existence challenges traditional views on virtue and knowledge.