A good prince will tax as lightly as possible those commodities which are used by the poorest members of society: grain, bread, beer, wine, clothing, and all other staples without which human life could not exist.
Desiderius ErasmusFrom hence, no question, has sprung an observation ... confirmed now into a settled opinion, that some long experienced souls in the world, before their dislodging, arrive to the height of prophetic spirits.
Desiderius ErasmusGreat eagerness in the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or honor, cannot exist without sin.
Desiderius Erasmus