The Consolation of Philosophy (Penguin Classics) by Boethius Ancius

Author:Boethius, Ancius [Boethius, Ancius]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780141920375
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2003-04-24T00:00:00+00:00

XII

Then I said, ‘I agree very strongly with Plato. This is the second time you have reminded me of these matters. The first time was because I had lost the memory through the influence of the body, and this second time because I lost it when I became overwhelmed by the weight of my grief

‘If you look at what we have already agreed, you won’t be far from remembering what you said you did not know just now.’

‘What was that?’

‘The manner in which the world is governed.’

‘I remember admitting my ignorance, but even though I have some inkling of them I should like to hear more plainly what arguments you would adduce.’

‘Just now you thought it was beyond doubt that this world was ruled by God.’

‘I still do think it is beyond doubt, and will always think so. I will briefly explain the arguments which convince me in this matter.

‘This world would never have coalesced into one form out of such diverse and antagonistic parts had there not been one who could unify such diversity. Their very diversity in turn would make them break out into dissension and tear apart and destroy the unity of the world unless there were a power capable of holding together what he had once woven. Nature’s fixed order could not proceed on its path and the various kinds of change could not exhibit motions so orderly in place, time, effect, distance from one another, and nature, unless there was one unmoving and stable power to regulate them. For this power, whatever it is, through which creation remains in existence and in motion, I use the word which all people use, namely God.’

Then she said, ‘Since this is your opinion, I think little remains for me to do before you acquire happiness and return safe and sound to your true homeland.

‘But let us look at the arguments we have set forth. Under happiness we have included sufficiency, haven’t we, and we have agreed that God is happiness itself ?’

‘Yes.’

‘So that in regulating the universe He will need no external assistance–otherwise, if He needs anything, He won’t have complete sufficiency.’

‘The inference is inescapable.’

‘So that He regulates all things by Himself?’

‘It cannot be denied.’

‘Now, we have proved that God is the good itself.’

‘Yes, I remember.’

‘So that it is by goodness that He rules all things, since He rules them by Himself and we have agreed that He is the good. It is this which is the helm and rudder, so to speak, by which the fabric of the universe is kept constant and unimpaired.’

‘I strongly agree; and this is exactly what I thought you were going to say, although I wasn’t sure of my surmise.’

‘I believe you,’ she said, ‘for now, I think, you are bringing your eyes to look with greater care upon the truth. And what I am going to say is no less clear to the sight.’

‘What is that?’ I asked.

‘Since we are right in thinking that God controls all things by the helm

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