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Lectori Salutem, Gouda In 1509 I wrote a pamphlet "The Praise of Folly" for my friend Thomas More. I had the idea conceived on a horse back on the long journey from Rome to London. The writing was meant as a gesture of gratitude to my host. But his friends started to copy my praise, so I' had the booklet printed after my arrival in Paris, in 1511. Thats now more than 500 years ago and to my surprise, the Praise of Folly, became a bestseller and a prelude to revolution, which they later would call the Reformation. Now, five centuries later, I 'm having fun as a "trip of Folly" to appear on this website, in English, instead of Latin, because that is the new universal language, as they say. Previously, artists such as Albrecht Durer and Hans Holbein the Younger portrayed me or illustrated many of my books with prints. Now that the photographers Jan Stigter and Nico Boerboom assisted me.
I dedicate this pamphlet to my friend, the historian Reinier Snoy. But also other members of the Gouda magistrate and all citicens of this city, I like to thank for my current stay in the Vroesenpark.
I 'm feeling home more and more ! Desiderius Erasmus alias
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