Breaths Quote by Desiderius Erasmus
“Amongst the learned the lawyers claim first place, the most self-satisfied class of people, as they roll their rock of Sisyphus and string together six hundred laws in the same breath, no matter whether relevant or not, piling up opinion on opinion and gloss on gloss to make their profession seem the most difficult of all. Anything which causes trouble has special merit in their eyes.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Praise of Folly, 1511
Lawyers are portrayed as self‑important, creating endless rules and opinions to appear indispensable, valuing trouble over relevance.
In simple terms: Lawyers overcomplicate and seek importance through unnecessary rules.
Key Takeaway
Beware of valuing complexity over usefulness.
Themes
pride
profession
complexity
Mood
skeptical
critical
Type
satirical
observational
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- policy drafting
- academic debate
- bureaucratic review
Key Concepts
legalism
ego
overcomplication
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize simplicity over status?
- How does unnecessary complexity affect decision making?
A Different Perspective
Complexity can obscure truth and hinder progress.
