# Song VII: Pleasure’s Sting explained — The Consolation of Philosophy

> Chapter companion for The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius.

## What happens

A brief poetic reflection on the nature of Pleasure, comparing it to a bee that stings those who take from it, leaving a lasting pain in the heart.

## Themes in this chapter

### Vanity of Worldly Goods

The poem illustrates how the pursuit of pleasure leads to pain, underscoring the emptiness of worldly delights.

## Key lines

> This is the way of Pleasure: She stings them that despoil her; And, like the wingèd toiler Who’s lost her honeyed treasure, She flies, but leaves her smart Deep-rankling in the heart.

Pleasure harms those who take from her, just as a bee that has lost its honey stings and leaves a lasting wound.

_The metaphor compares pleasure to a bee, emphasizing the inevitable pain that follows indulgence._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters/song-vii-pleasure-s-sting
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_consolation_of_philosophy_se/chapters