Q0312
“Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.” — Boethius (The Consolation of Philosophy II)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: The Consolation of Philosophy II. Theme: happiness.
English
Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to The Consolation of Philosophy II and files it under Neoplatonism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Boethius
Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (c. 480–524/5) was a Roman statesman and philosopher who translated Aristotle’s logic into Latin and wrote the Consolation of Philosophy in prison under Theodoric.
Interpretation
Boethius has Philosophy argue this to him while he faces execution, and the claim is that misery depends on judgement rather than circumstance. The reasoning is that fortune cannot make anyone miserable without their assessment that what has happened is bad. This is not denial — he does not pretend the loss is small — but a claim about where the suffering originates. The Consolation works by gradually shifting what he counts as loss.
Why it matters
It is a demanding position because it removes consolation by complaint: if the judgement is doing the damage, the damage is not being done to you.
Concepts in this quote
- Happiness
- Happiness—or flourishing—is a central aim in ethics: what makes a life go well, and whether pleasure alone is enough.
- Mind
- Philosophy of mind asks what consciousness, thought, and mental life are—and how they relate to body and world.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Boethius. (n.d.). Nothing is miserable unless you think it so. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0312
MLA: Boethius. “Nothing is miserable unless you think it so..” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0312.
Chicago: Boethius. “Nothing is miserable unless you think it so..” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0312.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “Nothing is miserable unless you think it so.”?
The passage is attributed to Boethius, The Consolation of Philosophy II. The archive attributes this English wording to The Consolation of Philosophy II and files it under Neoplatonism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Boethius mean by happiness?
Greek eudaimonia, Buddhist analyses of craving, utilitarian happiness, and modern well-being research all contest the meaning of a good life. This passage enters that discussion through happiness, mind.