Boethius - Philosophy and Happiness
Boethius (c.470-524)
Roman philosopher (pictured right) and politician.
His most famous book
is...
The Consolation of Philosophy (524) which was very popular in Elizabethan and medieval
England, and written when he was in prison awaiting execution for treason.
What did he say about happiness?
1. Reflect
Think about;
2. Forget fame and fortune
Success is temporary - those at the top will quickly find themselves at the bottom.
Money doesn't make you happy because it creates:
- new demands on your time.
“If riches cannot eliminate need but on the contrary make new demands, what makes you suppose that they
can provide satisfaction?”, he asked.
3. Learn from failure and adversity
You are happiest and learn most, when you fail, and you’re in trouble - why?
- you find out who your true friends are.
- you're not fooled by the temporary material pleasures of wealth and
success (as Boethius discovered in prison) - see point 2.
4. Happiness comes from within
Happiness comes from goodness and a clear conscience, because they give you:
5. Life isn’t fair sometimes
Wrongly imprisoned, Boethius was tempted to think that the good suffer and evil people prosper.
But he concluded that:
- only good people are truly happy (see point 4)
- wicked people will eventually suffer.
6. Believe in God
God gives you:
- free will (to choose what you want to do with your life).
Key quote on positive thinking
Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.
Key quotes on happiness
He who is virtuous is wise, and he who is wise is good; and he who is good is happy.
Nothing brings you happiness unless you are content with it.
Key quote on stress and pain
Another cause of your sickness, and the most important, you have forgotten what you are.
Key quote on peace of mind
The man who recklessly strives for glory and counts it the highest goal should consider the far-reaching shores
of heaven and the narrow confines of earth.
Key quote on death
Death equalizes the high and the low.
Key quote on money
If riches cannot eliminate need but on the contrary make new demands, what makes you suppose that they can
provide satisfaction?
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