Boethius Quotes
Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a 5th and 6th-century Roman senator, consul, and philosopher, one of the last representatives of classical learning in the Latin West and a foundational figure of medieval philosophy. His life was spent in service to the Ostrogothic king Theodoric in Italy, until political accusations led to his imprisonment and eventual execution in 524. The quotes below are attributed to Boethius, organized by topic.
Browse Boethius by topic
Boethius on Death
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“But if you think that life can be prolonged by the breath of mortal fame , yet when the slow time robs you of this too, then there awaits you but a second death .”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II | Poem VII, lines 23-26; translation by W. V. Cooper
Boethius on Freedom
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“When she [ Philosophy ] saw that the Muses of poetry were present by my couch giving words to my lamenting, she was stirred a while; her eyes flashed fiercely, and said she, "Who has suffered these seducing mummers to approach this sick man? Never do they support those in sorrow by any healing remedies, but rather do ever foster the sorrow by poisonous sweets. These are they who stifle the fruit-bearing harvest of reason with the barren briars of the passions: they free not the minds of men from disease, but accustom them thereto." Prose I, lines 7-9; translation by W.V. Cooper”
Quae ubi poeticas Musas uidit nostro assistentes toro fletibusque meis uerba dictantes, commota paulisper ac toruis inflammata luminibus: Quis, inquit, has scenicas meretriculas ad hunc aegrum permisit accedere, quae dolores eius non modo nullis remediis fouerent, uerum dulcibus insuper alerent uenenis? Hae sunt enim quae infructuosis affectuum spinis uberem fructibus rationis segetem necant homin -
“If first you rid yourself of hope and fear You have dismayed the tyrant's wrath: But whosoever quakes in fear or hope, Drifting and losing his mastery, Has cast away his shield, has left his place, And binds the chain with which he will be bound. Poem IV, lines 13-18”
Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas, exarmaueris impotentis iram; at quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat, quod non sit stabilis suique iuris, abiecit clipeum locoque motus nectit qua ualeat trahi catenam.
Boethius on God
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“Wherefore not without cause has one of your own followers asked, "If God is, whence come evil things? If He is not, whence come good?" Prose IV, line 30; translation by W.V. Cooper”
Unde haud iniuria tuorum quidam familiarium quaesiuit: 'si quidem deus', inquit, 'est, unde mala? Bona uero unde, si non est? -
“What place can be left for random action, when God constraineth all things to order?”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V | Prose I; translation by H. R. James
Boethius on Happiness
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“In every adversity of fortune, to have been happy is the most unhappy kind of misfortune.”
Nam in omni adversitate fortunae infelicissimum est genus infortunii fuisse felicem. -
Attributed to Boethius:
“Nothing is miserable unless you think it so; and on the other hand, nothing brings happiness unless you are content with it.”
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“Nothing is miserable but what is thought so, and contrariwise, every estate is happy if he that bears it be content.”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II | Prose IV, line 18 -
“I see how happiness and misery lie inseparably in the deserts of good and bad men.”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book IV | Prose V, line 1; translation by W.V. Cooper -
“Who hath so entire happiness that he is not in some part offended with the condition of his estate?”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II | Prose IV, line 12
Boethius on Knowledge
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Attributed to Boethius:
“He who knows himself was first his own knower.”
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“Qui cecidit, stabili non erat ille gradu.”
For he that is fallen low did never firmly stand. Poem I, line 22; translation by W.V. Cooper -
“For he that is fallen low did never firmly stand. Poem I, line 22; translation by W.V. Cooper”
Qui cecidit, stabili non erat ille gradu. -
“Quae ubi poeticas Musas uidit nostro assistentes toro fletibusque meis uerba dictantes, commota paulisper ac toruis inflammata luminibus: Quis, inquit, has scenicas meretriculas ad hunc aegrum permisit accedere, quae dolores eius non modo nullis remediis fouerent, uerum dulcibus insuper alerent uenenis? Hae sunt enim quae infructuosis affectuum spinis uberem fructibus rationis segetem necant hominumque mentes assuefaciunt morbo, non liberant.”
When she [ Philosophy ] saw that the Muses of poetry were present by my couch giving words to my lamenting, she was stirred a while; her eyes flashed fiercely, and said she, "Who has suffered these seducing mummers to approach this sick man? Never do they support those in sorrow by any healing remedies, but rather do ever foster the sorrow by poisonous sweets. These are they who stifle the fruit-b -
“Si operam medicantis exspectas, oportet vulnus detegas.”
If you expect a physician to help you, you must lay bare your wound. Prose IV, line 1; translation by W.V. Cooper -
“If you expect a physician to help you, you must lay bare your wound. Prose IV, line 1; translation by W.V. Cooper”
Si operam medicantis exspectas, oportet vulnus detegas. -
“Unde haud iniuria tuorum quidam familiarium quaesiuit: 'si quidem deus', inquit, 'est, unde mala? Bona uero unde, si non est?”
Wherefore not without cause has one of your own followers asked, "If God is, whence come evil things? If He is not, whence come good?" Prose IV, line 30; translation by W.V. Cooper -
“Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas, exarmaueris impotentis iram; at quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat, quod non sit stabilis suique iuris, abiecit clipeum locoque motus nectit qua ualeat trahi catenam.”
If first you rid yourself of hope and fear You have dismayed the tyrant's wrath: But whosoever quakes in fear or hope, Drifting and losing his mastery, Has cast away his shield, has left his place, And binds the chain with which he will be bound. Poem IV, lines 13-18 -
“Thus, where'er the drift of hazard Seems most unrestrained to flow, Chance herself is reined and bitted, And the curb of law doth know.”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book V | Poem I, lines 11-12; translation by H. R. James
Boethius on Love
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Attributed to Boethius:
“Who would give a law to lovers? Love is unto itself a higher law.”
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“Alternate translation: How happy is mankind if the love that orders the stars above rules, too, in your hearts.”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II -
“If you would give every man as he deserves, then love the good and pity those who are evil .”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book IV | Poem IV, lines 11-12; translation by Richard H. Green -
“O happy race of mortals, if your hearts are ruled as is the universe, by Love!”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book II | Poem VIII, lines 28-30; translation by W. V. Cooper Alternate translation: How happy is mankind if the love that orders the stars above rules, too, in your hearts. -
“Who can give law to lovers? Love is a greater law to itself.”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book III | Poem XII, lines 47-48
Boethius on Mind
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“Music is associated not only with speculation but with morality. When rhythms and modes reach an intellect through the ear, they doubtless affect and reshape that mind according to their particular character.”
De Institutione Musica | Christopher Callahan (October 2000), Music in Medieval Medical Practice: Speculations and Certainties
Boethius on Nature
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Attributed to Boethius:
“Music is so naturally united with us that we cannot be free from it even if we so desired.”
Boethius on Time
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Attributed to Boethius:
“It is my belief that history is a wheel. Inconstancy is my very essence, says the wheel.”
Boethius on Truth
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Attributed to Boethius:
“If you would see the truth in clear light, take the proper path.”
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“By first recognizing false goods, you begin to escape the burden of their influence; then afterwards true goods may gain possession of your spirit.”
The Consolation of Philosophy, Book III | Poem I, lines 11-13; translation by Richard H. Green