Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy
Commentary by Evan Malach

Boethius’ concerns about the suffering of the good mirror
Job’s. But while Boethius’ Lady Philosophy answers this by
arguing that evil is simply incomprehensible and ultimately illusory, the Biblical message seems to be that suffering brings wisdom - a lesson that may be applicable to Prometheus as well, the subject of Zeus’ arbitrary injustice. In all three cases, it seems that suffering allows the sufferer to exhibit extreme piety, for they are given the chance to display the depth of their devotion.