The less talent they have, the more pride, vanity and arrogance they have. All these fools, however, find othe... — Desiderius Erasmus

The less talent they have, the more pride, vanity and arrogance they have. All these fools, however, find other fools who applaud them.

Author: Desiderius Erasmus

Insight: There's something almost liberating about this observation, because it cuts through the noise of modern life where confidence is constantly mistaken for competence. We've all noticed it: the person who talks the loudest in the meeting isn't always the sharpest, the influencer with the biggest ego sometimes has the thinnest actual skill set. Erasmus is pointing at something uncomfortable but true—when people lack real mastery, they often compensate with noise, attitude, and conviction, as if volume could substitute for substance. What's particularly sharp here is the second part. It's not just that mediocre people are arrogant; it's that they find audiences. Social media has turbocharged this reality. You don't need genuine talent to gather admirers anymore—you just need confidence and an algorithm that rewards engagement. A genuinely skilled person might doubt themselves, refine their work quietly, worry about the gaps in their knowledge. Meanwhile, someone with half the ability broadcasts their opinions with absolute certainty and collects followers who validate them endlessly. The real sting isn't judgment—it's recognition. The quote suggests we should be skeptical of authority and acclaim that arrives too easily, especially when it's wrapped in arrogance. Real skill tends to be quieter about itself.

Source: Adagia, 1500