Quote by Desiderius Erasmus

I doubt if a single individual could be found from the whole of mankind free from some form of insanity. The only difference is one of degree. A man who sees a gourd and takes it for his wife is called insane because this happens to very few people.

I doubt if a single individual could be found from the whole

Summary

This quote highlights the notion that everyone possesses a certain degree of insanity, with some being more pronounced than others. It suggests that what defines insanity is often determined by the rarity or extremity of one's thoughts or behavior. The example given of mistaking a gourd for a spouse emphasizes how such an act is considered insane due to its uncommon occurrence. Overall, this perspective challenges the idea of absolute sanity and suggests that eccentricities are, in fact, a common facet of human nature.

Topics

Insanity

By Desiderius Erasmus

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

Well, I think everybody is frustrated by the finances of the

Well, I think everybody is frustrated by the finances of the U.N. and the inability to solve problems of war and peace.

George H. W. Bush

Peace

I count myself well educated, for the admirable woman at the

I count myself well educated, for the admirable woman at the head of the school which I attended from the age of four and a half till I was thirteen and a half, was a born teacher in advance of her own times.

Catherine Helen Spence

Teacher

Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the

Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.

War

Whenever the people are for gay marriage or medical marijuan

Whenever the people are for gay marriage or medical marijuana or assisted suicide, suddenly the 'will of the people' goes out the window.

Marriage

The will to persevere is often the difference between failur

The will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success.

Failure

Faith is the poetry of our dreams and action is the builder

Faith is the poetry of our dreams and action is the builder of our reality.

Life Success Reality Poetry Dreams Faith Motivational Inspirational Action Quote Builder

In effect, to follow, not to force the public inclination; t

In effect, to follow, not to force the public inclination; to give a direction, a form, a technical dress, and a specific sanction, to the general sense of the community, is the true end of legislature.

Law

Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nouri

Take chances, make mistakes. That's how you grow. Pain nourishes your courage. You have to fail in order to practice being brave.

Mary Tyler Moore

Courage

When I was about 12 and first started wearing lipstick, my d

When I was about 12 and first started wearing lipstick, my dad would ask, 'Are you wearing makeup?' I would say back, 'You're wearing more makeup there than I am!'

Dad

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being abl

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world -- that is the myth of the atomic age -- as in being able to remake ourselves.

The human race is a race of cowards; and I am not only march

The human race is a race of cowards; and I am not only marching in that procession but carrying a banner.

Don't complain because you don't have. Enjoy what you've got

Don't complain because you don't have. Enjoy what you've got.

H. Stanley Judd

Enjoyment