Boëthius

“Wherefore I much marvel why these things are thus turned upside down, and the punishment of wickedness oppresses the good, while evil men obtain the rewards of the good. And I desire to know of thee what may seem to be the reason of so unjust confusion. For I would marvel less if I thought that all things were disordered by casual events. Now God being the governor, my astonishment is increased. For since that He distributeth oftentimes that which is pleasant to the good, and that which is distasteful to the bad, and contrariwise adversity to the good and prosperity to the evil, unless we find out the cause hereof, what difference may there seem to be betwixt this and accidental chance?” “It is no marvel,” quote [Lady Philosophy], “if anything be thought temerarious and confused, when we know not the order it hath. But although thou beest ignorant of the causes why things be so disposed, yet because the world hath a governor, doubt not but all things are well done.” — from The Consolation of Philosophy, book IV, part v (trans. Anton Pegis).

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boëthius (ca.480–524) was a Christian writer born in Rome to a family which claimed emperors and noblemen in its pedigree. After being made consul of the kingdom of the Ostrogoths in 510, he was jailed and eventually executed by King Theodoric for his suspected role in a conspiracy against the throne. While awaiting his death, Boëthius penned The Consolation of Philosophy, an attempt to find peace of mind through a philosophical examination of life and death. The book was one of the major influences on Medieval thought and helped to shape the Western approach to theology and Christian philosophy.