Boethius Quotes

What place can be left for random action, when God constraineth all things to order?

Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas,
exarmaueris impotentis iram;
at quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat,
quod non sit stabilis suique iuris,
abiecit clipeum locoque motus
nectit qua ualeat trahi catenam.

Unde haud iniuria tuorum quidam familiarium quaesiuit: 'si quidem deus', inquit, 'est, unde mala? Bona uero unde, si non est?'

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.

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

Quodsi putatis longius vitam trahi
mortalis aura nominis,
cum sera vobis rapiet hoc etiam dies
iam vos secunda mors manet.

Si operam medicantis exspectas, oportet vulnus detegas.

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 he that is fallen low did never firmly stand.

Quis legem det amantibus?
Maior lex amor est sibi.

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.

Quis enim cohercente in ordinem cuncta deo locus esse ullus temeritati reliquus potest?

Tu quoque falsa tuens bona prius
incipe colla iugo retrahere:
Vera dehinc animum subierint.

Quae ubi poeticas Musas uidit nostro assistentes toro fletibusque meis uerba dictantes, commota paulisper ac toruis inflammata luminibus: Quis, inquit, has scenicas meretriculas ad hunc aegrum permisit accedere, quae dolores eius non modo nullis remediis fouerent, uerum dulcibus insuper alerent uenenis? Hae sunt enim quae infructuosis affectuum spinis uberem fructibus rationis segetem necant hominumque mentes assuefaciunt morbo, non liberant.

Nam si uti corporum languor ita vitiositas quidam est quasi morbus animorum, cum aegros corpore minime dignos odio sed potius miseratione iudicemus, multo magis non insequendi sed miserandi sunt quorum mentes omni languore atrocior urguet improbitas.