Erasmus is quite aware that Folly included among her followers more than that proportion of theologians corresponding to the proportion of criminals in the human race and more than 'several' kings. He now justifies himself by arguing that the higher the rank, the fewer to be found to fill it worthily, so ironically twisting the theologians' tails again. He now goes on tellingly to name the people who have not taken offence. In his letters of the winter 1517-18, when he can add Leo X to the list, he will make more of this argument.