The Education of a Christian Prince

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The Education of a Christian Prince is a Renaissance 'how-to' book for princes, advising them on how to be a 'good Christian' prince. The book was dedicated to Prince Charles, who would later become Habsburg Emperor Charles V. It was written by Erasmus in 1516, the same year as Thomas More finished his Utopia and only three years after Machiavelli had written his antithetical advice book for princes Il Principe. The latter, however, was not published until 1532.

Erasmus stated that teachers should be of gentle disposition and have unimpeachable morals. A good education included all the liberal arts. As did the Roman educator Quintilian, Erasmus was against corporal punishment for unruly students. He stressed the student must be treated as an individual.

[edit] Quotes

  • "Conduct your own rule as if you were striving to ensure that no successor could be your equal, but all the time prepare your children for their future reign as if to ensure that a better man would indeed succeed you."
  • "He acquires most who requires nothing, but commands respect."
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