Adagia

work by Erasmus

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July 23, 2026

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An adage is a saying that expresses a common observation, often in a metaphorical way. The word originates from the Latin adagium, meaning proverb.1

The scholar Erasmus published a significant collection of adages in 1508, titled Adagia. Erasmus was a prominent Dutch humanist and scholar of the northern Renaissance, known for his work on classical literature and the New Testament. His collection of adages became widely used in humanist schools across Europe.12

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Erasmus
The wandering scholar
…Aldine press Erasmus expanded his Adagia, or annotated collection of Greek and Latin adages, into a monument of erudition with over 3,000 entries; this was the book that first made him famous. The adage “Dutch ear” (auris Batava) is one of many hints that he was not an uncritical admirer…
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…Aldine press Erasmus expanded his Adagia, or annotated collection of Greek and Latin adages, into a monument of erudition with over 3,000 entries; this was the book that first made him famous. The adage “Dutch ear” (auris Batava) is one of many hints that he was not an uncritical admirer…
Read More