"Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself"

Desiderius Erasmus’ famous adage, “Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself,” is a profound reflection on the transformative power of virtue, truth, and enlightenment. Rather than focusing efforts solely on combating negativity or ignorance directly, Erasmus champions the idea that positive action, symbolized by the giving of light, renders darkness, or adversity, irrelevant and powerless in its presence.

To “give light” can be interpreted as offering wisdom, kindness, hope, or understanding. Light, in many philosophical and spiritual traditions, represents knowledge, moral rectitude, or even the spark of human progress. When introduced to situations plagued by confusion, evil, or despair, represented by darkness, the very nature of light demands that it dispels shadows; darkness is not a force in itself, but the absence of illumination. Therefore, by fostering enlightenment, positivity, and integrity within ourselves and extending them to others, the ‘darkness’ of ignorance, hatred, or fear naturally recedes.

Erasmus subtly underscores an optimistic worldview: that the solution to life’s greatest problems does not always lie in vehement struggle against negativity, but in nurturing and amplifying what is good, brave, and noble. In societal terms, education, dialogue, and compassion achieve more in defeating prejudice or violence than hostility or aggression ever could. Likewise, on a personal level, embodying empathy and understanding in daily interactions can quietly but surely dissolve misunderstandings and resentment.

This perspective invites a shift from antagonism to creation, from resistance to proactive engagement. Instead of being preoccupied with what we wish to eradicate, Erasmus urges us to invest energy in what we seek to cultivate. By being sources of light, of positivity, courage, and truth, we do not merely banish darkness; we create environments where it simply cannot thrive. The transformative power of light, then, becomes an enduring metaphor for meaningful, peaceful change within individuals and societies alike.