The Chains We Choose
The Forgotten Wisdom of Boethius
Today I want to share a profound quote from a well known work in the western canon, Consolation of Philosophy.
Throughout this book, Boethius struggles with leaving his past life behind as he finds himself unjustly put in a prison cell. Given his state of affairs, he is eventually confronted with two questions, “Can an unhealthy attachment to the things of this world enslave us, and how can we escape a slavish relationship to it?” The quote that I mention below gives us a start in answering this question. But before we consider its wisdom, here is some background on the piece and author.
Who Was Boethius?
Consolation of Philosophy is an ancient work from a man named Boethius (477 AD to 524 AD). Boethius was a profoundly respected Roman statesman who later in life was a Job-type figure. Like Job, he was a man of respected wealth and prestige, and like Job, this wealth and prestige was stripped away. Unfortunately, Boethius' response to God's providence put his soul in a precarious situation.
The Birth of Consolation of Philosophy
Due to slander and a charge of treason Boethius’ was unjustly put into prison. Soon, Boethius found himself in a cell reflecting on all that he had lost. This is where the birth of Consolation of Philosophy takes place.
In the book, the other main character is Lady Philosophy, who is depicted as a beautiful divine-like women personified as wisdom. She gives him doses of medicine (wisdom) to cure the sickly state that he finds himself.
But first, before contemplating one of these medicinal cures given by Lady Philosophy, it is important to understand why Boethius is spiritually sick. A brief follow up with Job’s response to similar circumstances will highlight the important similarities and differences.
The Chains of Attachment
Boethius’ possessions had a tight grip around him. Such a grip that when they were taken he too was pulled along with them in chains, making him a slave. Eventually these chains were torn leaving Boethius torn and in a state of despondency. That which he adored most was taken away from his hands. A difficult situation does not begin to describe such circumstances; yet Lady Philosophy is confident that despondency is not the answer for Boethius. Through time, Boethius began to develop spiritual amnesia. He did not know how to be content in such circumstances. This lead to spiraling thoughts leaving him dejected.
Job and the Wisdom of Detachment
Job, on the other hand, while he loved his possessions, immediately understood that he came into the world naked and would leave the same. This allowed him to understand that all which was given could be rightly taken. This profound wisdom is symbolized by Job’s peculiar behavior of shaving his head after hearing the tragic news of his deep losses. This ancient act communicated a stripping away of earthly identity and personal ego. This is different from what we see when we encounter Boethius. We meet Boethius in a state of despondency in need of true wisdom. However, we also see a similarity in that Job too despaired of life itself. Yet Job eventually learned how to be content in all circumstances.
The Medicine Begins
Boethius at this point in the book is starting to receive medicine for his wounded soul. But what comes next from Lady Philosophy is the most potent medicine given to him yet. It addresses a deep root of his despair, idleness, and poor state of affairs, namely that he had made himself a slave to the gifts by which he was surrounded. By pointing out the grandeur of the human person Lady philosophy brings a unique perspective to help heal his wounded soul, which I think is linked to the words of Christ that, “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” (Luke 17:20) I will leave you to contemplate ow this reality that Christ puts forth relates to the quote.
One idea that I took away was that is that contentness in all circumstances in part is obtained through the realization of what the human person is. A human person has far more more depth, beauty, grandeur, and value than any object or good a person can receive. Yet, when the person values such things in a way that defines him, he practically speaking becomes less valuable than the objects themselves.
A Mirror Turned Inward
I will not expound upon the quote, because I do not want to taint its striking effect. Rather, I will leave it by itself, hopefully leading to an encounter with the reality that humans made in the image of God are the most valuable of His creation. Lady Philosophy asks Boethius,
“Are you not able to find value in yourself? If you could see that you wouldn’t need all those external trinkets. Is your world so topsy-turvy that a living, rational, almost godlike being would need the possession of all this lifeless stuff in order to be happy? Other creatures are content being what they are. But men, who are rational and godlike, need to bedeck themselves with finery in order to be happy, and you don’t seem to understand that this is actually insulting to your maker. He appointed men to be the lords of earth and you contrive yourselves to a base dependency… when you put all this value on things, you reduce yourself in your own estimation and become, yourself, all but valueless. If he forgets himself, then he is lower than the beasts.”
