# Epigraph explained — The Consolation of Philosophy

> Chapter companion for The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.

## What happens

The epigraph presents two passages: one from Aristotle's Ethics on bearing great misfortunes with nobility, and another on the wise person's indestructible crown and the self-judging nature of virtue and vice.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fortune and Misfortune

The epigraph directly addresses bearing great misfortunes with equanimity.

### Virtue and Self-Mastery

The wise person's crown is imperishable, and one judges oneself by one's own moral choices.

## Character check-ins

### Aristotle

Quoted from his Ethics on enduring misfortunes with magnanimity.

## Key lines

> ὄμως δὲ καὶ ἐν τούτοις διαλάμπει τὸ καλὸν, ἐπειδὰν φέρῃ τις εὐκόλως πολλὰς καὶ μεγάλας ἀτυχίας, μη δι’ ἀναλγησίαν, ἀλλὰ γεννάδας ὢν καὶ μεγαλόψυχος.

Even in the midst of great misfortunes, nobility shines through when a person bears them easily—not because they are insensible, but because they are generous and great-souled.

_Aristotle's definition of true nobility in adversity._

> Quantumlibet igitur saeviant mali, sapienti tamen corona non decidet, non arescet.

No matter how fiercely the wicked rage, the wise person's crown will never fall or wither.

_The wise remain undiminished by external evil._

> Melioribus animum conformaveris, nihil opus est judice praemium deferente, tu te ipse excellentioribus addidisti; studium ad pejora deflexeris, extra ne quaesieris ultorem, tu te ipse in deteriora trusisti.

If you shape your mind toward better things, you need no judge to award a prize—you have placed yourself among the excellent. If you turn your efforts toward worse things, seek no external punisher—you have thrust yourself into degradation.

_The self-judging nature of virtue and vice: one's own choices determine one's moral standing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/epigraph
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters