Testing the good

The Consolation of Philosophy primary

Philosophy gives examples of how providence treats both good and bad—restraining excess wickedness, testing virtue through affliction, and converting evil prosperity or suffering into eventual improvement.

So, shouldst thou see anything in this world happening differently from thy expectation, doubt not but events are rightly ordered; it is in thy judgment that there is perverse confusion. 'Grant, however, there be somewhere found one of so happy a character that God and man alike agree in their judgments about him; yet is he somewhat infirm in strength of mind. It may be, if he fall into adversity, he will cease to p…