![]() ![]() ![]() While Boethius acknowledges the logic of Philosophy's argument, he is not yet in a fit state to receive comfort from it. Boethius is reminded not only that he came into this world with none of Fortune's gifts, and he should never have become so attached to any of them that he could not lose them without grief. Philosophy also implies that, while Boethius enjoyed Fortune's favors, he must have known that her gifts were not very important anyway. Fortune's "gifts" are really loans, Philosophy reminds Boethius, and to return something that was only lent to you is not a loss and not something about which to grieve. Again, Philosophy describes the capricious nature of Fortune, pointing out how the workings of Fortune are not to be considered tragic when they cause reversals for her former beneficiaries. She says that Boethius has been seduced by Fortune (sometimes called Lady Fortune), and that in her many guises she has lured other people to their undoing, too. Again, she reiterates that Boethius is pining away for his former good fortune, and the loss of which has corrupted his mind. She says that she has fully diagnosed the cause and nature of his condition, and will prepare the "persuasive powers of sweet-tongued rhetoric," a power often abused by those who do not properly understand Philosophy, to gently heal him of his illness. ![]() She has become quiet so that Boethius, in his weakened spiritual state, entreats her to speak. At the beginning of Book II, Lady Philosophy has grown silent. ![]()
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