Erasmus Quotes

Under the title Erasmus Adagia, sayings by Rotterdam philosopher Desiderius Erasmus appear throughout the cityscape. The project is part of a broader initiative to embed Erasmus’s ideas and values in public space in an accessible way. Several quotes — carefully selected from his writings — now enrich various locations across Rotterdam.

For instance, “Heel de wereld is mijn vaderland” [The whole world is my homeland] adorns the side wall of Hotel Emma on the Nieuwe Binnenweg. The entrance to the Central metro station features “Ruimte scheidt de lichamen, niet de geesten” [Space separates bodies, not minds], while travelers at Wilhelminaplein are greeted with “Jonge mensen zijn de hoop van een land.” [Young people are the hope of a nation] On the air shafts of Central Station, one reads: “Laat ieder z’n eigen overtuiging eren zonder die van een ander te beledigen.” [Let everyone honor their own convictions without insulting those of others]

On the air shafts at Kruisplein, the saying “De belangrijkste voorwaarde voor geluk is dat je wilt zijn wat je bent” [The most important condition for happiness is to want to be what you are] can be found — a message with timeless value.

All quotes were typographically designed by Tim Bontan of Studio Bijdevleet, who, with care and subtlety, lets the ideas of Erasmus speak throughout the city of his birth.

The artwork Erasmus Quotes poetically brings the ideas of the great thinker Desiderius Erasmus to life in Rotterdam’s public space. His wisdoms are presented at carefully selected locations throughout the city. The quotes invite reflection, wonder, and a renewed encounter with the philosophy of one of Rotterdam’s most famous sons.

Mothership was bij dit project verantwoordelijk voor de uitvoering, het projectmanagement en trad tevens op als curator.