Adagiorum Desiderii Erasmi Roterodami epitome

to dare to assume the work and the duty; but rather, that Light and River of all erudition and eloquence would offer so many praises of worthy words to be lauded, that one might plainly not know (in the words of Homer) original: τὶ πρῶτον τὶ δ’ ἔπειτα, τὶ δ’ ὕστερον λαλεῖν δέον ἐστί "what first, what next, what last it is fitting to speak". We read that the pagan Socrates, a praiseworthy philosopher in his own age, was judged and proclaimed the wisest by the Oracle of Apollo, not because of his remarkable body, but because of his divine gifts of mind and genius. If it were permitted in this age of ours to consult the oracles of the wise concerning the great name of Erasmus, and his divine genius of admirable erudition (while he was alive), there would surely not be one person there, and the Apollo of the learned would suffice; nor would it be a matter of only one praiseworthy thing regarding this great erudition.