Boethius Quotes on Happiness
Boethius wrote The Consolation of Philosophy in prison while awaiting execution, and the quotes gathered here come from that meditation on happiness in the face of ruin. Its central teaching, voiced by Lady Philosophy, is that happiness does not lie in the gifts of fortune but in the mind's own disposition, for nothing is miserable but what is thought so, and every estate is happy if the one who bears it is content. Boethius gives memorable expression to the special pain of remembered good fortune, observing that in every adversity of fortune, to have been happy is the most unhappy kind of misfortune. He locates true and lasting happiness in alignment with the divine order, in the hope that mortals' hearts may be ruled, as the universe is, by Love. These passages present happiness as a matter of inner consent rather than outward circumstance.
Quotes
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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 -
“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 -
“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.