Ancius Boethius

Ancius Manlius Severinus Boethius (480 - 525) Philosopher Poet Politician

 If first you rid yourself of hope and fear
   You have dismayed the tyrant's wrath:
 But whosoever quakes in fear or hope,
   Drifting and losing his mastery,
 Has cast away his shield, has left his place,
   And binds the chain with which he will be bound.

• Latin:

 Nec speres aliquid nec extimescas,
   exarmaueris impotentis iram;
 at quisquis trepidus pauet uel optat,
   quod non sit stabilis suique iuris,
 abiecit clipeum locoque motus
   nectit qua ualeat trahi catenam.

• • The Consolation of Philosophy, book I, section IV.