Das Lob der Narrheit

by Desiderius Erasmus

"Das Lob der Narrheit" by Desiderius Erasmus is a satirical work written in 1509 during his stay in England. In this ironic masterpiece, Folly herself takes the stage as a female speaker, praising her own virtues and influence over humanity. She claims dominion over all people—merchants, princes, monks, scholars, and clergy—exposing their vices and foolishness through witty rhetoric. With daughters named Self-Love, Flattery, Forgetfulness, Laziness, and Pleasure, Folly argues that human happiness depends on embracing absurdity rather than wisdom, creating a sharp mirror of Renaissance society.