I have turned my entire attention to Greek. The first thing I shall do, as soon as the money arrives, is to buy some Greek authors; after that, I shall buy clothes.
• Letter to Jacob Batt (12 April 1500); Collected Works of Erasmus Vol 1 (1974)
• Letter to Jacob Batt (12 April 1500); Collected Works of Erasmus Vol 1 (1974)
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Ad Graecas literas totum animum applicui; statimque ut pecuniam accepero, Graecos primum autores, deinde vestes emam.
• Variant translation: When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.
— Desiderius Erasmus
What It Means
This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "Ad Graecas literas totum animum applicui; statimque ut pecuniam accepero, Graecos primum autores, deinde vestes emam.
• Variant translation: When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes." in the context of "I have turned my entire attention to Greek. The first thing I shall do, as soon as the money arrives, is to buy some Greek authors; after that, I shall buy clothes.
• Letter to Jacob Batt (12 April 1500); Collected Works of Erasmus Vol 1 (1974)" to mean that wisdom is timeless.
Source: Wikiquote: "Desiderius Erasmus" (Quotes)
The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
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About Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (27 October 1466 – 12 July 1536) was a Dutch philosopher, humanist and theologian.
About Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam (27 October 1466 – 12 July 1536) was a Dutch philosopher, humanist and theologian.
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