Fortune's Caprice
Philosophy reproves his complaints against Fortune: caprice is her very nature.
Fortune Pleads Her Case
Philosophy, speaking in Fortune's own voice, proves the gifts were always hers to give and reclaim.
The Brilliant Past
Boethius pleads his present misery; Philosophy recalls how brilliant his former fortunes were.
Happiness Lies Within
The memory of lost joy is the bitterest grief; yet much remains, and true happiness is inward.
The Emptiness of Riches
All Fortune's gifts are external; man cannot find his good in possessions. Riches breed anxiety.
Power and High Place
High office without virtue is an evil, not a good; power is an empty name.
Fame and the Stars
Fame is trivial measured against the immensity of the universe and the endlessness of time.
Fortune's One True Service
Bad fortune is more useful than good: it strips illusion and reveals true friends from false.
The argument of Book II, in brief
CH. I. Philosophy reproves Boethius for the foolishness of his complaints against Fortune. Her very nature is caprice.—CH. II. Philosophy in Fortune's name replies to Boethius' reproaches, and proves that the gifts of Fortune are hers to give and to take away.—CH. III. Boethius falls back upon his present sense of misery. Philosophy reminds him of the brilliancy of his former fortunes.—CH. IV. Boethius objects that the memory of past happiness is the bitterest portion of the lot of the unhappy. Philosophy shows that much is still left for which he may be thankful. None enjoy perfect satisfaction with their lot. But happiness depends not on anything which Fortune can give. It is to be sought within.—CH. V. All the gifts of Fortune are external; they can never truly be our own. Man cannot find his good in worldly possessions. Riches bring anxiety and trouble.—CH. VI. High place without virtue is an evil, not a good. Power is an empty name.—CH. VII. Fame is a thing of little account when compared with the immensity of the Universe and the endlessness of Time.—CH. VIII. One service only can Fortune do, when she reveals her own nature and distinguishes true friends from false.