The book became quite popular and established his reputation. He exhorted Christians to be ever watchful and use the weapons of prayer and knowledge. The highest wisdom is to know yourself. We must learn to distinguish the inner man from the outer man. Nothing is harder than for a man to conquer himself, but there is no greater reward or blessing.
Man is a combination of spirit and flesh.
Spiritual love is not based on physical pleasure but is loving the Christ in another person. Nothing manifests a weaker will, nothing requires a feebler and weaker mind than enjoyment of revenge. In trying to appear brave by not allowing an injury to go unpunished, a person displays only immaturity, since he cannot control his mind in a particular situation. The most famous book of Erasmus, The Praise of Folly, was written in England and dedicated to Thomas More in 1511. The satire shows how popular and respected folly is among mankind and pokes fun at the foibles of the time.