Eramus' best-known work is Moriae encomium, sive Stultitiae laus, known as Praise of Folly in English. During his trip to England in 1509 he came up with the idea for this book. He wrote the work for Thomas More (1478-1535) at home and dedicated it to him. The book was published in Paris in the year 1511.

Erasmus wrote in the book his opinion on society as a satire. The female fool (Stultitia), together with her five daughters, describes all kinds of human follies. She criticizes scientists, princes, merchants and church authorities. The following themes are discussed: journalism, literature, philosophy, etiquette, art, church, peace, war, education and learning. It contains various allusions and quotations from ancient authors.

It is one of the most influential works of the western world and it played a part in the birth of the Reformation. A number of theologians quickly criticized the book. Three years later a new edition was printed in which Erasmus had inserted four new passages about the church, the church leaders, theologians and preachers in the text, together with some minor changes.

Together with the Colloquia, the Praise of Folly was the most successful among the works by Erasmus. During Erasmus' lifetime, 36 editions were published by 21 different printers and it was translated several times.