Boethius Quotes on Knowledge
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 knowledge, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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Attributed to Boethius:
“If you would see the truth in clear light, take the proper path.”
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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