The Theological Tractates and The Consolation of PhilosophyBoethius
Religion
The Theological Tractates and The Consolation of Philosophy
Boethius
Happiness; Philosophy and religion; Theology -- Early works to 1800; Theology -- History -- Early Church, ca. 30-600
And thus thou hast in a manner seen the form of human felicity--riches,
honour, power, glory, pleasure. Which Epicurus only considering,
consequently took pleasure for his chiefest good, because all the rest
seemed to delight the mind. But I return to the careful thoughts of men,
whose minds, though obscured, yet seek after the greatest good, but like
a drunken man know not the way home. For seem they to err who endeavour
to want nothing? But nothing can cause happiness so much as the
plentiful possession of all that is good, needing the help of none, but
is sufficient of itself. Or do they err who take that which is best to
be likewise most worthy of respect? No. For it is no vile or
contemptible thing which almost all men labour to obtain. Or is not
power to be esteemed good? Why, then, is that to be accounted feeble and
of no force, which manifestly surpasses all other things? Or is fame to
be contemned? But it cannot be ignored that the most excellent is also
most famous. For to what purpose should I say that happiness is not sad
or melancholy, or subject to grief and trouble, when even in smallest
matters we desire that which we delight to have and enjoy? And these be
the things which men desire to obtain, and to this end procure riches,
dignities, kingdoms, glory, and pleasures, because by them they think to
have sufficiency, respect, power, fame, delight, and joy. Wherefore,
that is good which men seek after by divers desires, in which the force
of nature is easily descried, since though there be many and different
opinions, yet they agree in choosing for their end that which is good.
II.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account