The entire world is my temple, and a very fine one too, if I'm not mistaken, and I'll never lack priests to serve it as long as there are men.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
Reflection is a flower of the mind, giving out wholesome fragrance; but revelry is the same flower, when rank and running to seed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote contrasts the value of thoughtful reflection with the emptiness of mindless indulgence.
Erasmus suggests that reflection nourishes the mind and produces beneficial outcomes, akin to a flower emitting a pleasant scent. In contrast, revelry, which may initially appear similar, can degenerate into something unproductive and undesirable when it becomes excessive or unconsidered, much like a flower that has gone to seed and lost its essence.
Themes
ReflectionMindWisdomRevelryInsight
In practice
Example use cases
In a personal development seminar, to emphasize the importance of self-reflection over mindless enjoyment.
More from Desiderius Erasmus
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You'll see certain Pythagorean whose belief in communism of property goes to such lengths that they pick up anything lying about unguarded, and make off with it without a qualm of conscience as if it had come to them by law.
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[N]o party is any fun unless seasoned with folly.
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If you look at history you'll find that no state has been so plagued by its rulers as when power has fallen into the hands of some dabbler in philosophy or literary addict.
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Fortune favours the audacious.
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