The Praise of Folly

Desiderius Erasmus (1466-1536), a Dutch humanist and theologian, was a dominant figure in classical literature. Erasmus combined his vast learning with a fine style characterized by humor, moderation, and tolerance. He hoped to reconcile the ancient faith with humanism by abandoning the scholastic method and devoting himself to a thorough study of the Scriptures. His works include "The Praise of Folly" and" Copia." Roger Clarke is a translator from Latin, French, and Russian, specializing in the translation of Pushkin.