About this book
Desiderius Erasmus's *De Lof der Zotheid* (The Praise of Folly) stands as one of the Renaissance's most influential satirical works, originally published in Latin as *Moriae Encomium*. This Dutch translation brings Erasmus's sharp wit and biting social commentary to vivid life, as the personified figure of Folly delivers a provocative speech that dismantles the pretensions of church officials, scholars, and society's most revered institutions.
Written in the early 16th century, this humanist masterpiece fearlessly attacks ecclesiastical corruption, the veneration of saints, monastic excess, and the sale of indulgences—subjects that would ignite the Reformation itself. Yet Erasmus approaches these grave matters through elegant irony rather than direct confrontation, wielding his refined literary talent as a weapon against ignorance, superstition, and hypocrisy. Enhanced with illustrations by Hans Holbein the Younger, this edition captures both the intellectual rigor and artistic beauty of the original work.
*De Lof der Zotheid* remains essential for anyone seeking to understand the intellectual ferment of the Renaissance and the precursors to religious reform. Whether you're a student of history, literature, philosophy, or theology, this audiobook offers profound insights into how one brilliant humanist challenged the moral foundations of his era through satire, reason, and unflinching social critique.
