The Praise of Folly (Moriae Encomium)

I am a source of happiness and peace. I am full of mercy, and therefore I help everyone: men and women, kings and beggars, priests and robbers, teachers, writers, and even sages. In my retinue, you will find many familiar faces — and only you are missing! So allow me to introduce myself: Her Majesty Folly. "The Praise of Folly" by Erasmus of Rotterdam is a satirical work in which Folly herself, acting as the narrator, rejoices in the successes of her followers and inadvertently exposes the vices of society.

In this edition, the original text in Latin is presented alongside the parallel translation by Professor P. N. Ardashev. Hans Holbein the Younger, an outstanding master of the Northern Renaissance, created over sixty illustrations for "The Praise of Folly," which are presented in this book.

In addition to them, the work is accompanied by paintings by Hieronymus Bosch, Francisco Goya, Melchor Lorca, and Quentin Massys.