“Man’s mind is so formed that it is far more susceptible to falsehood than to truth” – Desiderius Erasmus

 Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam was one of Europe’s most famous and influential scholars. A man of great intellect who rose from meager beginnings to become one of Europe’s greatest thinkers, he defined the humanist movement in Northern Europe. So they believe.

Reading who this man was and what he was known for and as, raises questions. At least in my mind.

Seems to me we humans often try to define intelligence. I’m not sure we are equipped to make that judgement.

Desiderius believed that man was very susceptible to falsehoods. I believe man is far more susceptible to his environment and that is what shapes our ability to comprehend the complexities of life. Whether we do it well or poorly.

“I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing” – Socrates

I believe Socrates was a very wise man. He recognized the truth. The real human condition.

Mark Twain was pretty sharp as well.

As was Will Rogers.

In my humble opinion.

What a man does with what he has is the clearer measure of intelligence. That’s what I believe.