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About this quote

What does it mean?
Erasmus says he focused his whole mind on Greek studies and planned to buy Greek authors and clothes once he got paid.
In plain terms
He studied Greek passionately and planned to buy books and clothes when paid.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize learning over material goods when resources arrive.

Where it applies

  • planning study budget
  • prioritizing education
  • scholarly life

Putting it to work

  • student budgeting
  • education advocacy
  • historical letters

Questions to consider

  • What would you spend your first paycheck on?
  • Is knowledge worth more than comfort?

Another view

The advice assumes money is only for books or clothes, ignoring other needs.

More from Desiderius Erasmus

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  2. For what is life but a play in which everyone acts a part until the curtain comes down?

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  3. This type of man who is devoted to the study of wisdom is always most unlucky in everything, and particularly when it comes to procreating children; I imagine …

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