Paula Marvelly: Consolation of Philosophy, by Boethius

One important writer of the European Middle Ages who was to have a profound effect upon metaphysical thought in the West was Boethius (480–524CE). A brilliant philosopher in his own right, he translated the works of Plato from Greek into Latin (to which is given the name Neo-Platonism to distinguish it from the original doctrines of Plato). Despite the respect he gained in his lifetime, he fell out with the Emperor Theodoric, who sentenced him to death.

Boethius’ famous Consolation of Philosophy was composed during his internment in prison in Pavia and before his impending execution. It is the account of a vision, in which he is visited by a woman, who reveals herself to be Sophia (also known as Sapientia), the personification of wisdom:

While I was pondering thus in silence, and using my pen to set down so tearful a complaint, there appeared standing over my head a woman's form, whose countenance was full of majesty, whose eyes shone as with fire and in power of insight surpassed the eyes of men, whose colour was full of life, whose strength was yet intact though she was so full of years that none would ever think that she was subject to such age as ours.

One could but doubt her varying stature, for at one moment she repressed it to the common measure of a man, at another she seemed to touch with her crown the very heavens: and when she had raised higher her head, it pierced even the sky and baffled the sight of those who would look upon it. Her clothing was wrought of the finest thread by subtle workmanship brought to an indivisible piece. This had she woven with her own hands, as I afterwards did learn by her own showing. Their beauty was somewhat dimmed by the dullness of long neglect, as is seen in the smoke-grimed masks of our ancestors.

On the border below was inwoven the Greek letter Pi, on that above was to be read the Greek letter Theta. And between the two letters there could be marked degrees, by which, as by the rungs of a ladder, ascent might be made from the lower principle to the higher. Yet the hands of rough men had torn this garment and snatched such morsels as they could therefrom. In her right hand she carried books, in her left was a sceptre brandished [I:2].

Over the course of several days, their discourse leads Boethius to a greater understanding of the world and its meaning. Sophia points out to him that it is peace of mind that is truly sought by the wise:

Thus there is nothing wretched unless you think it to be so: and in like manner he who bears all with a calm mind finds his lot wholly blessed. Who is so happy but would wish to change his estate, if he yields to impatience of his lot? With how much bitterness is the sweetness of man's life mingled!

For even though its enjoyment seem pleasant, yet it may not be surely kept from departing when it will. It is plain then how wretched is the happiness of mortal life which neither endures for ever with men of calm mind, nor ever wholly delights the care-ridden.

Wherefore, then, O mortal men, seek ye that happiness without, which lies within yourselves? Ye are confounded by error and ignorance. I will show you as shortly as I may, the pole on which turns the highest happiness. Is there aught that you value more highly than your own self?

You will answer that there is nothing. If then you are master of yourself, you will be in possession of that which you will never wish to lose, and which Fortune will never be able to take from you [II:37].

Indeed, peace comes from within. Moreover, the entire manifested world is cradled in the One:

This universe would never have been suitably put together into one form from such various and opposite parts, unless there were some One who joined such different parts together; and when joined, the very variety of their natures, so discordant among themselves, would break their harmony and tear them asunder unless the One held together what it wove into one whole.

Such a fixed order of nature could not continue its course, could not develop motions taking such various directions in place, time, operation, space, and attributes, unless there were One who, being immutable, had the disposal of these various changes. And this cause of their remaining fixed and their moving, I call God, according to the name familiar to all [II:95].

Extract from Women of Wisdom: The Journey of the Sacred Feminine by Paula Marvelly.