Quotes from The Consolation of Philosophy
10 notable lines from Boethius · c. 524
This is my art, this the game I never cease to play. I turn the wheel that spins. I delight to see the high come down and the low ascend.
Quotations follow the Victor Watts translation (Penguin Classics, 1999) — our recommended edition.
Nothing is miserable unless you think it so; and on the other hand, nothing brings happiness unless you are content with it.
Lady Philosophy In all adversity of fortune, the worst sort of misery is to have been happy.
Boethius What! art thou verily striving to stay the swing of the revolving wheel? Oh, stupidest of mortals, if it takes to standing still, it ceases to be the wheel of Fortune.
Philosophy, Book II · trans. H.R. James Nothing is wretched, but thinking makes it so, and conversely every lot is happy if borne with equanimity.
Philosophy, Book II · trans. H.R. James In adverse fortune the worst sting of misery is to have been happy.
Boethius, Book II · trans. H.R. James God is very happiness.
Philosophy, Book III · trans. H.R. James O happy race of men, If Love who rules the sky Could rule your hearts as well!
Closing lines of Book II, "Love is Lord of all" · trans. H.R. James What we should rightly call eternal is that which grasps and possesses wholly and simultaneously the fulness of unending life.
Philosophy, Book V · trans. H.R. James Great is the necessity of righteousness laid upon you if ye will not hide it from yourselves, seeing that all your actions are done before the eyes of a Judge who seeth all things.
Closing words of the work, Book V · trans. H.R. James