Boëthius (c.480–524 CE,) fully Anicius Manlius Severinus Boçthius, was a Roman mathematician, theologian, and philosopher under Emperor Theodoric.
Very little is known of Boëthius’s life. Born in Rome to an eminent family of the aristocracy, Boçthius possibly got his education in Athens or Alexandria. He studied the Greek language and the philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and the Stoics. In philosophy, Boçthius set himself the task of translating and commenting upon all the works of Plato and Aristotle, with a view to the harmonization of their teachings. Boçthius translated Aristotle’s logical works and wrote commentaries on two of them, more notably on Porphyry’s Isagoge (Introduction) to Aristotle’s Categories.
In addition to his theological treatises, Boëthius is best known for his enduring original work The Consolation of Philosophy (523–524.) He wrote it while in prison in Pavia on a charge of treason. Besides the Bible, it was the prominent book of universal appeal throughout the Middle Ages.
Written as a dialogue in prose and verse between the author and allegorical Philosophia, the personification of philosophy, Consolation contends that a person can rise above the apparent misery of his circumstances and find consolation. This alludes to pagan Stoic philosophy than to Christianity. It was a favorite reading of Dante Alighieri, Giovanni Boccaccio, and Geoffrey Chaucer, and inspired numerous imitators.
Most other Boëthius works are not considered original. His Elements of Arithmetic, Elements of Music, and Elements of Geometry (all written 500–510) summarize the works of Nicomachus of Gerasa and Euclid. Boçthius’s writings remained among the essential guides to mathematics during the early medieval period.
Boëthius’s logical works include On Categorical Syllogism (506,) On Division (507,) On Hypothetical Syllogisms (518,) Prolegomena (523,) and De differentiistopicis (523.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Boethius
Every man must be content with that glory which he may have at home.
—Boethius
Topics: Realization, Acceptance, Awareness
So nothing is ever good or bad unless you think it so, and vice versa. All luck is good luck to the man who bears it with equanimity.
—Boethius
Topics: Luck
He who is virtuous is wise; and he who is wise is good; and he who is good is happy.
—Boethius
Topics: Wisdom
He who has calmly reconciled his life to fate… can look fortune in the face.
—Boethius
Topics: Acceptance
Who can give law to lovers? Love is a greater law to itself.
—Boethius
Topics: Love
It’s my belief that history is a wheel. ‘Inconstancy is my very essence,’ says the wheel. Rise up on my spokes if you like but don’t complain when you’re cast back down into the depths. Good time pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it’s also our hope. The worst of time, like the best, are always passing away.
—Boethius
Topics: History
If there is anything good about nobility it is that it enforces the necessity of avoiding degeneracy.
—Boethius
Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.
—Boethius
In other living creatures the ignorance of themselves is nature, but in men it is a vice.
—Boethius
Topics: Awareness, Self-Knowledge
Music is part of us, and either ennobles or degrades our behavior
—Boethius
Topics: Music
In every kind of adversity, the bitterest part of a man’s affliction is to remember that he once was happy.
—Boethius
Topics: Adversity
Another cause of your sickness, and the most important: you have forgotten what you are.
—Boethius
Topics: Identity
Who would give a law to lovers? Love is unto itself a higher law.
—Boethius
Topics: Love
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Marcus Aurelius Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
Cicero Roman Philosopher
Pliny the Elder Roman Scholar
Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) Roman Stoic Philosopher
Ausonius Latin Poet, Rhetorician
Quintilian Roman Rhetorician, Literary Critic
Seneca the Elder (Marcus Annaeus Seneca) Roman Rhetorician
Tacitus Roman Orator, Historian
Thomas Aquinas Italian Catholic Priest
William of Ockham English Philosopher, Polemicist