"Everyone knows that by far the happiest and universally enjoyable age of man is the first. What is there about babies which makes us hug and kiss and fondle them, so that even an enemy would give them help at that age?"

Desiderius Erasmus, a Dutch Renaissance humanist and theologian, uses a poignant reflection on the nature of human life and our universal love for babies in his quote. His observation suggests that the earliest stage of life, infancy, is universally perceived as the most joyful and unburdened duration in an individual's presence. This understanding is deeply embedded in the collective human consciousness, going beyond cultures and societies.

One reason babies are considered the happiest age may come from their liberty from societal expectations, responsibilities, and consciousness of self-awareness. Babies exist in a state of innocence, unmarred by the complexities and difficulties of the adult years. Their needs are easy and instant: food, heat, and affection. This simplicity resonates with lots of as a sign of pureness and untarnished delight.

Erasmus further observes that the universal appeal of infants manifests in the instinctive action they elicit from grownups. The simplicity and innocence of babies stimulate a natural, almost primal, desire to protect and support. This reaction corresponds throughout humanity, to the degree that even somebody who may be considered a foe would feel forced to help a child in need. Babies, in their vulnerability, generate compassion and kindness, extracting the more caring and selfless sides of human nature.

Additionally, the act of hugging, kissing, and fondling children talks to the deep-seated human need for connection and affection. These actions are expressions of care and love, and they enhance the bond in between the infant and the caregiver. For adults, communicating with children can be a source of happiness and satisfaction, offering a reprieve from the needs of daily life and a tip of the vital, yet extensive, aspects of human presence.

In essence, Erasmus' reflection on infancy as the happiest age highlights an universal truth about the human experience. It highlights the essential nature of compassion and the instinctual drive to nurture, showing how even in a world filled with conflict, innocence and vulnerability have the power to bridge divides and inspire compassion.