Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius quotes

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius was a Roman philosopher, theologian, and statesman, renowned for his work "The Consolation of Philosophy." His writings served as a vital bridge between the classical world and the Middle Ages, influencing both Christian and secular thought. He is remembered as one of the last great thinkers to unite the traditions of ancient philosophy with emerging medieval culture. Here are 46 of his quotes:

Nothing is miserable but what is thought so, and contrariwise, every estate is happy if he that bears it be content.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

In every adversity of fortune, to have been happy is the most unhappy kind of misfortune.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Who hath so entire happiness that he is not in some part offended with the condition of his estate?

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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-bearing harvest of reason with the barren briars of the passions: they free not the minds of men from disease, but accustom them thereto."

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

I see how happiness and misery lie inseparably in the deserts of good and bad men.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Music is part of us, and either ennobles or degrades our behavior.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

For in all adversity of fortune the worst sort of misery is to have been happy.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

If you expect a physician to help you, you must lay bare your wound.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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?"

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

For if vicious propensity is, as it were, a disease of the soul like bodily sickness, even as we account the sick in body by no means deserving of hate, but rather of pity, so, and much more, should they be pitied whose minds are assailed by wickedness, which is more frightful than any sickness.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

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.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Man is a two-footed reasoning animal.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Who fain would sow the fallow field, And see the growing corn, Must first remove the useless weeds, The bramble and the thorn.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

O happy race of mortals, if your hearts are ruled as is the universe, by Love!

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

Who can give law to lovers? Love is a greater law to itself.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

By first recognizing false goods, you begin to escape the burden of their influence; then afterwards true goods may gain possession of your spirit.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius

For he that is fallen low did never firmly stand.

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius