In Praise of Folly
Illustrated with Many Curious Cuts
In Praise of Folly is a satire by Desiderius Erasmus, written in 1509 while he was staying with Thomas More and first printed in 1511. Folly herself mounts the podium and delivers an oration in her own honor, showing that lovers, husbands, soldiers, scholars, courtiers, monks, theologians and popes all depend on her, and that life would be unbearable without a measure of self-deception. What begins as a joke sharpens into an attack on the abuses of the church, and ends with the paradox that Christian faith is itself a kind of folly. This edition presents the seventeenth-century English translation by John Wilson, with the marginal drawings Hans Holbein made in a copy of the Latin text. It is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, with the first chapter free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about In Praise of Folly
In Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read In Praise of Folly online?
Yes. In Praise of Folly opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is In Praise of Folly free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of In Praise of Folly is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is In Praise of Folly in the public domain?
Yes. In Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read In Praise of Folly?
About 3 h of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is In Praise of Folly?
In Praise of Folly by Desiderius Erasmus is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
