Boethius Quotes on Love
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 love, drawn from across the philosopher's works.
Quotes
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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