LITERATURE: The Consolation of Philosophy – Look Inward

Boethius’ litany concludes with a poem:

"Harsh punishment, deserved by the criminal, afflicts the innocent.  Immoral scoundrels now occupy positions of power and unjustly trample the rights of good men.  Virtue, which ought to shine forth, is covered up and hides in darkness, while good men must suffer for the crimes of the wicked.  Perjury and deceit are not held blameworthy as long as they are covered by the color of lies.  When these scoundrels choose to use their power they can intimidate even powerful kings, because the masses fear them.

"O God, whoever You are who joins all things in perfect harmony, look down upon this miserable earth!  We men are no small part of your great work, yet we wallow here in the stormy sea of fortune.  Ruler of all things, calm the roiling waves and, as You rule the immense heavens, rule also the earth in stable concord."  (Consolation, p. 12)

Before I look into Philosophy’s reply, I look at Boethius’ ending statement.  After railing against the injustice of man-made laws, he questions why a God who has created all things, has not allowed a perfection of man that would be alike in the nature of all other creation, such as heaven and earth, man being just one of these creations.  It seems to question the wisdom or control of a supreme being in not creating an incorruptible human form.  Or, is it the questioning of the existence of a supreme being? 

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