Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius Quotes
480–524
Ancius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c. 480–524 CE) was a Roman Christian philosopher, poet, and politician.
Also known as: Ancius Boethius, Anicius Boethius, Boethius, Boethius, Ancius, Boethius, Anicius
Random Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius quote
19 quotes
In every adversity of fortune, to have been happy is the most unhappy kind of misfortune.
If you would give every man as he deserves, then love the good and pity those who are evil.
I see how happiness and misery lie inseparably in the deserts of good and bad men.
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?"
Nothing is miserable but what is thought so, and contrariwise, every estate is happy if he that bears it be content.
Who hath so entire happiness that he is not in some part offended with the condition of his estate?
What place can be left for random action, when God constraineth all things to order?
For he that is fallen low did never firmly stand.
If you expect a physician to help you, you must lay bare your wound.
By first recognizing false goods, you begin to escape the burden of their influence; then afterwards true goods may gain possession of your spirit.
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.
O happy race of mortals,
if your hearts are ruled
as is the universe, by Love!
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.
Who can give law to lovers? Love is a greater law to itself.
Thou seest, then, in what foulness unrighteous deeds are sunk, with what splendour righteousness shines. Whereby it is manifest that goodness never lacks its reward, nor crime its punishment.
For when every judgement is the act of hym that judgeth, it behoveth that every man performe hys worke and purpose, not by any forayne or straunge power or facultie, but by his owne proper power, and strength.
Tr. George Colville (1556)
Who fain would sow the fallow field,
And see the growing corn,
Must first remove the useless weeds,
The bramble and the thorn.
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.
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.