Boethius Quotes on Happiness
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. This page collects quotes attributed to Boethius on the topic of happiness, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
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.