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Chapter Summary
But Boethius shouldn’t despise Fortune altogether, for when she is against someone, she benefits him by telling him the truth, instructing him about the fragility of earthly happiness. Then someone can enjoy what is truly good, that which only truly belongs to him.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
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Chapter Summary
Philosophy tells Boethius that her remaining medicines are bitter-tasting, but sweet in the stomach. He would be excited about taking them if he realized that she is leading him to the goal of true happiness. She will begin by showing him where happiness cannot be found so he will turn away from lies and so see the truth.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
The single concern of mortals is happiness, which is the highest Good of all, including all other goods in itself. However, mortals err in pursuing false goods like riches, respect, power, fame, or pleasures. In seeking these goods, they are really seeking happiness.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
But can people find happiness through these goods? If not, then what looks like happiness in them is false. Philosophy turns to examine the goods people seek. First, money does not completely free you from lack, but rather creates the necessity of protecting it.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
Secondly, high position does not impart virtue, which is inherently valuable. In fact, high position can be tarnished by unworthy possessors. Therefore, high position has no inherent worth.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
Thirdly, political power is limited in its extent, and so cannot give complete happiness. It also cannot eliminate fear from danger. In fact, many powerful people have been brought low because of their high positions.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
Fourthly, fame cannot give perfect happiness since it is sometimes wrongly given. But even if fame is deserved, it cannot add to one’s happiness, since a wise person measures himself by what he knows of himself, not by what others think of him. And if fame is inherently desirable, lack of fame must be shameful—and yet no one is famous everywhere in the entire world. Noble birth is empty, since its praise belongs to one’s progenitor, not one’s self.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
Fifthly and lastly, the pursuit of physical pleasure gives anxiety, and too much pleasure brings regret. Even good pleasures, like marriage and fatherhood, have a sting in their tail.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
Lady Philosophy summarizes her reasons why the pursuit of earthly goods is not the pathway to happiness but to suffering. They do not in themselves give happiness since they cannot even offer what they promise, nor give you the entirety of every good thing.
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.

Chapter Summary
Now Philosophy promises to show what true happiness is. She proves that ability and power share by nature the same substance, as do honor, fame, and happiness. But human error divides this natural whole into fragments, and pursues them individually, and thus does not obtain either the whole or the parts. Even if someone attained the whole, he would not find true happiness since these pursuits do not give it in themselves. True happiness comes from being wholly self-sufficient, wholly able, wholly respectable, wholly well-known, and wholly happy. But earthly pursuits cannot provide this highest Good, this true happiness. May God guide us and show us where it can be found!
About The Consolation of Philosophy
Written in the 6th-century from a prison cell as the author awaits execution for a crime he did not commit, The Consolation of Philosophy is a dialogue between Boethius and a mysterious woman—Lady Philosophy—who helps him rediscover wisdom and virtue.
Subscribe now and begin walking the path of wisdom with us.
Want to go deeper?
You’re invited to join the companion course that dives deep into each of the five books. There, we’ll explore each chapter, with guided readings, discussion prompts, and study tools to enrich your journey. Enroll today.