Top 15 Boethius Quotes

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.

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.

Sic quae permissis fluitare videtur habenis
Fors patitur frenos ipsaque lege meat.

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

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

Video, inquam, quae sit vel felicitas vel miseria in ipsis proborum atque improborum meritis constituta.

Vis aptam meritis uicem referre:
Dilige iure bonos et miseresce malis.

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.

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.

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.

Videsne igitur quanto in caeno probra volvantur, qua probitas luce resplendeat? In quo perspicuum est numquam bonis praemia, numquam sua sceleribus deesse supplicia.

Quis legem det amantibus?
Maior lex amor est sibi.

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

Qui serere ingenuum uolet agrum
liberat arua prius fruticibus,
falce rubos filicemque resecat,
ut noua fruge grauis Ceres eat.

O felix hominum genus,
si uestros animos amor
quo caelum regitur regat!