It is evident from a reading of “In Praise of Folly” that Erasmus’ thought made deeper inroads into the very spirit of Mediæval thought and religion than did Luther’s moral indignation. It undermined many things that the Reformer left standing. “In Praise of Folly” was written eight years before Luther’s break with the Pope, and it reveals a mind emancipated from much more than the Papacy. The man who could write this satire must have regarded the Reformation as a quarrel which dealt with only the surface of the problem. I do not wonder that later both Catholics and Protestants considered him a sceptic. It is my belief that he was too sceptical to become greatly excited about the Reformation. He is impressed with the whole stupid comedy of the life about him. Knowledge of this book should be part of every man’s education. It has much more than a historical interest for the modern student. In form it is an oration which Folly delivers in praise of herself. She makes a good case; perhaps too good a case. Folly says that however slightly she is esteemed in the common vogue of the world--being often decried even by those who are themselves the greatest fools--yet she is _the deity who really rules the world_ and is the source of most men’s happiness. “At first sight of me you all unmask and appear in more lively colors.” Without Folly society would go to pieces. Indeed no one would ever be born, for would women ever have children or marry except for Folly? And except for Folly marriages would be few and divorces many. How could the government exist without Folly? Have not wise legislators in all times recognized the necessity of fooling the people? After showing how Folly reigns in the arts and the professions, and how each nation has its pet folly and self-conceit, the speaker sums up, “I am so communicative and bountiful as to let no particular person pass without some token of my favor, whereas other deities bestow gifts sparingly and to their elects only.” Let us note this reference to Folly as “deity.” Does Erasmus mean to imply that Folly is the deity that mankind really worships and has been worshipping all the while? He makes Folly say,