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Boethius
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The Consolation of Philosophy (Penguin Classics) Rev Ed Edition, Kindle Edition

by Ancius Boethius (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 531 ratings
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Boethius was an eminent public figure under the Gothic emperor Theodoric, and an exceptional Greek scholar. When he became involved in a conspiracy and was imprisoned in Pavia, it was to the Greek philosophers that he turned. THE CONSOLATION was written in the period leading up to his brutal execution. It is a dialogue of alternating prose and verse between the ailing prisoner and his 'nurse' Philosophy. Her instruction on the nature of fortune and happiness, good and evil, fate and free will, restore his health and bring him to enlightenment. THE CONSOLATION was extremely popular throughout medieval Europe and his ideas were influential on the thought of Chaucer and Dante.
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  1. ISBN-13
    978-0140447804
  2. Edition
    Rev Ed
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Penguin
  5. Publication date
    April 24, 2003
  6. Language
    English
  7. File size
    402 KB
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

The Consolation of Philosophy by Anicius Boethius was greatly influenced by his personal troubles with the Roman government. While awaiting trial for treason, he wrote this exploration of philosophy as it relates to God, fate and free will. It’s an enlightening account that details thought-provoking questions leading to introspective answers.

About the Author

Anicius Boethius (477–524) was a Roman philosopher who lived during the 5th and 6th centuries. Born into a family of politicians, Boethius was educated in Greek and had a love for literature and philosophy. He is often cited as an accomplished orator, senator and consul. Despite his years in public service, Boethius was accused of treason and eventually imprisoned. During confinement, he wrote his most notable work, The Consolation of Philosophy, which was completed before his execution in 524.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B002RI9WWA
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Penguin; Rev Ed edition (April 24, 2003)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2003
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 402 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 193 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 531 ratings

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Boethius

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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
531 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book excellent, stimulating, and honest. They say it offers solid insights into life and wisdom for today. Readers also say the book provides a means to achieve perspective on day-to-day calamities.

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26 customers mention "Readability"21 positive5 negative

Customers find the book excellent, honest, and well-written. They also say it's an excellent classic Christian book.

"...I will probably read it several more times because this is one of the most honest books, second to the Bible, that I've ever read (so far)...." Read more

"Fantastic book it really makes one think deeply about life in general, the role you intend to play in the world and your philosophy on life." Read more

"...Victor Watts' translation makes this ancient work easy to read despite its ancient origins." Read more

"...The translator has done a superb job of preparing a readable and stimulating translation. "..." Read more

8 customers mention "Insight"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book offers solid insights into life. They say it holds wisdom for life today and provides a means to achieve perspective on day-to-day calamity. Readers also mention reading the book may raise their IQ.

"Fantastic book it really makes one think deeply about life in general, the role you intend to play in the world and your philosophy on life." Read more

"Written in 524, this book still holds a lot of wisdom for life today. It reminds us that sometimes we stress about things that don't really matter...." Read more

"...It requires careful reading, but it provides a means to achieve some perspective on day-to-day calamity and a way to a better life...." Read more

"...Has a great take on every part of life...why we are the way that we are...." Read more

3 customers mention "Sturdiness"3 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the sturdiness of the book. They mention it's in great condition and came in great shape.

"Such a great book on Boethius's look on philosophy! Book came in great shape as well." Read more

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5 out of 5 stars
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I was assigned portions of this work in college and decided to read it in full. It is well worth reading.
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Top reviews from the United States

spencer
5.0 out of 5 stars Genius!
Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2013
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So Good

I recently had the pleasure of reading the book, The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. Here are some thoughts that popped into my head while I was reading:

"Genius!"
"How is it that this book isn't more famous?"
"How has it taken me so long to read this?"
"Everyone should read this."

This book is truly genius. I will probably read it several more times because this is one of the most honest books, second to the Bible, that I've ever read (so far). I cannot recommend it more highly. If I were to compare it to any book of the the Bible I would have to say it has choices traces of Job, Habakkuk, Jonah, Psalm 73, Philippians, Proverbs, and most of all Ecclesiastes intertwined into it. Moreover, it's saturated in Platonism and contains some remnants of Stoicism and Epicurianism, merely for the sake of showing those philosophies to be false.

What's It About?

The author, Boethius is in prison awaiting his death while writing this book and he is coming to grips with the injustice he is experiencing at the hands of wicked men that have falsely charged him with treason. He asks questions that we have all asked such as, "Why do good people suffer?", "If God is good why does evil exist?" "If there's no God where does good come from?"

Every question and complaint he has is confronted and resolved with sound reasoning by a woman who is the personification of Philosophy.

We have all been falsely accused before, or wronged by our neighbor, or simply an unfortunate event has occurred to us and we have probably asked God, "Why me?"

Philosophy shows Boethius that "Why me?" is the wrong question. She reasons that if you play in "Fortune's playground", change is her very nature and you cannot expect anything but "inconstancy". Furthermore she argues that since we were born naked into this world and all of life's blessings are Fortune's gifts, what right have we to complain when Fortune withdraws those gifts since they are hers to give and not ours in the first place?

Some Observations

Consider the rich, who are born with Fortune's good will, "how trivial are the things that can detract from the...happiness of a man at the top of fortune." She concludes, that the very inconstancy of Fortune proves that "[She] by her very mutability can't hope to lead to happiness." Moreover, "...happiness can't consist in things governed by chance..."

If you are playing Fortune's game, you may win or you may lose. All is up to chance and randomness. But true wisdom will teach us that "you are...happy...then, if you know where your true happiness lies." It ought not to lie in things of Fortune, governed by chance, for in a moment those things can be gained or lost, and they provide only a temporal happiness, so happiness ought to be in things that are governed by God who is as faithful as the morning star.

Theodicy

This book is a theodicy, which means its an answer to the "problem of evil". Believe it or not, but the so called "problem", when dealt with correctly, just might change your life. This book will cause you to realize that "Fortune's playground" is no place to live life. Nor is there any right for us to complain when all "good and evil" is merely the giving and withdrawing of Fortune (in our modern language we use the word "grace"), which no man has done anything to earn. Consider the poor man, how merely a small blessing will make him glad, and how the rich man is not satisfied with anything but the best. It is better to be poor and grateful than rich and unsatisfied, "for no man is rich who shakes and groans convinced that he needs more." Still more, once you realize Fortune's "unreliability" she is "deprive[d] [of] her threats...and [the] enticements of [her] allure."

May we be free from the wheel of Fortune, and not make "...her as the mistress to rule [our] life...", and may we, whether we have good or bad fortune (grace), place our happiness in the eternal things of God, who never changes.
87 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars You may or may not find consolation
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2024
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Fantastic book it really makes one think deeply about life in general, the role you intend to play in the world and your philosophy on life.
One person found this helpful
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Mary B.
4.0 out of 5 stars The Consolation of Philosophy
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2014
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Written in 524, this book still holds a lot of wisdom for life today. It reminds us that sometimes we stress about things that don't really matter. The author, a philosopher and saint, wrote the work when he was in prison, condemned to death without a trial, and awaiting execution. His mental conversation with his "teacher," Lady Philosophy, slowly brings him to the realization that the possessions and status we value really don't matter and the things that really do matter -- education, mental faculties and real friends -- can't be taken from us, no matter what our circumstances. Victor Watts' translation makes this ancient work easy to read despite its ancient origins.
21 people found this helpful
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William W. Carr Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars CS Lewis was right!
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2024
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It's like reading Proverbs, with Boethius' character "Philosophy" corresponding to "Lady Wisdom" in Proverbs. The translator has done a superb job of preparing a readable and stimulating translation. "The Consolation of Philosophy" has wisdom for our times: our place in the universe, how a person can find contentment without the aggression that is so much a part of our contemporary social environment.
4 people found this helpful
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HMS Warspite
5.0 out of 5 stars In the time of the great Covid-19 pandemic...
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2021
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"The Consolation of Philosophy" was written 1500 years ago. It contains the thoughts of a former high official of the late Roman Empire, now confined and awaiting execution. The official, Boethius, wrestles with his change in fortunes and his place in life. In his final writings, he imagines an extended conversation with Philosophy, embodied as a divine nurse. The intent of this conversation is to find a sense of peace.

This book might have written for the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. It requires careful reading, but it provides a means to achieve some perspective on day-to-day calamity and a way to a better life. Well recommended.
12 people found this helpful
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GPO
5.0 out of 5 stars At his worst time, Boethius chose to write to future generations
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2020
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Very insightful book. Boethius, a philosopher driven by Platonic ideals who entered the service of Gothic King Theodoric and reached very prominent positions, is then suddenly charged of treason in an apparently less than fair trial. He is then imprisoned and awaits execution.

How would most people react in such circumstances? Well, Boethius wrote a book that serves as an inspiration for us standing close to 1,500 years after the events. His narrative shows him extremely sad and suffering until his old companion Philosophy talks to him and reminds him of the teachings she has taught him during his life, as a cure to his present illness.

Philosophy speaks to him initially in plain language and simple terms in a style I would qualify as similar to Seneca's, but gradually growing in complexity during each chapter (there are 5 of them) towards a much more typical style of Plato: a dialogue where Philosophy (like Socrates) would start from a premise building step a step a logic that would lead to a final conclusion (which differs from Plato's, as Socrates would most of the time show that the final conclusion is a contradiction of previously stated premises). Boethius' writing then present a more positive conclusion.

Also, Boethius chose to add poetry from time to time in the conversation, which in some cases are a beautiful display of art to convey an idea, even for people not used to read poetry. When I think on the circumstances on where he wrote them, those words deserve much more credit.
18 people found this helpful
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Adriana
5.0 out of 5 stars College
Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2024
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One of the better college reads
2 people found this helpful
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Ernesto Hernandez
5.0 out of 5 stars Thank you
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2022
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I've been wanting a copy of this book and this edition is great. Thank you
6 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Consolation Of Philosophy by Ancius Boethius
Reviewed in India on October 13, 2021
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This book should be read by all who love Greek and Roman history, literature ,and classics. Modern men should not forget their obligations to the ancient literature.
2 people found this helpful
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justin
5.0 out of 5 stars The lives of men are eternal and speak to all time: past and future
Reviewed in Canada on July 6, 2018
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Philosophy is one of the best forms of introspection. Read a book and let go of limiting beliefs. It’s too bad that this guy had to be executed for me to embark on such an exquisite journey into the recesses of myself.
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Tom Bradley
5.0 out of 5 stars Provides some consolation.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 6, 2014
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Boethius's magnum opus is a deeply thought provoking read that helps you answer some of life's most pressing questions, highly recommended.
One person found this helpful
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Abe98
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating read
Reviewed in Canada on February 25, 2020
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This is a must-read for anyone interested in medieval philosophy, and philosophy in general.
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Sanad Kadu
5.0 out of 5 stars Epic!
Reviewed in India on November 21, 2018
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Epic!
One person found this helpful
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