Desiderius Erasmus Quotes About Authority

Quotes about: Authority

• There are some whose only reason for inciting war is to use it as a means to exercise their tyranny over their subjects more easily. For in times of peace the authority of the assembly, the dignity of the magistrates, the force of the laws stand in the way to some extent of the ruler doing what he likes. But once war is declared then the whole business of state is subject to the will of a few ... They demand as much money as they like. Why say more?

  Desiderius Erasmus

  War, Mean, Exercise

  Desiderius Erasmus, William Watson Barker (2001). “The Adages of Erasmus”, p.350, University of Toronto Press

• It hardly needs explaining at length, I think, how much authority or beauty is added to style by the timely use of proverbs. In the first place who does not see what dignity they confer on style by their antiquity alone?... And so to interweave adages deftly and appropriately is to make the language as a whole glitter with sparkles from Antiquity, please us with the colours of the art of rhetoric, gleam with jewel-like words of wisdom, and charm us with titbits of wit and humour.

  Desiderius Erasmus

  Art, Thinking, Jewels

• Sacred scripture is of course the basic authority for everything; yet I sometimes run across ancient sayings or pagan writings - even the poets - so purely and reverently and admirably expressed that I can't help believing the author's hearts were moved by some divine power. And perhaps the spirit of Christ is more widespread than we understand, and the company of the saints includes many not on our calendar.

  Desiderius Erasmus

  Running, Believe, Writing

  Desiderius Erasmus (1965). “The Colloquies of Erasmus”, Chicago, 1965- .

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