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Handout #143 |
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The Renaissance Popes |
| In his In Praise of Folly (1511 A.D.),
Erasmus makes Folly describe in an amusing and ironical way failings of
the men of his time, great and small, particularly the men of the church.
If the sovereign pontiffs who are in Christ's place tried to imitate him in his poverty, his works, his wisdom, his cross and his scorn for life; if they meditated on the name Pope, which means Father, and on the title Most Holy that they are given, would they not be the most wretched of men? Does not he who uses all his resources to purchase this dignity not then have to defend it by sword, poison and violence? How many advantages would be lost were wisdom one day to enter into them? And not even wisdom, but just one grain of the salt Christ talked about: so many riches, honors, trophies, offices, dispensations, taxes, indulgences; so many horses, mules, guards and so many pleasures ... They would have to be replaced by vigils, fasts, tears, prayers, sermons, study and penance - a thousand tedious inconveniences. And do not let us forget this: what would become of so many writers, copyists, notaries, advocates, promoters, secretaries, muleteers, ostlers, innkeepers, go-betweens (I would use another word, but let us not damage our ears!)? This vast multitude would be reduced to starvation. Erasmus, In Praise of Folly, LIX. |
