This Too Shall Pass

As I’m studying for the upcoming midterm, I decided it would be good to review some of the past material and pieces of literature we have covered. One of pieces of literature that I seemed to really enjoy was that of Boethius. He wrote mainly about philosophy and how it reconciles with the Christian world. In Prose 3, Poem 3. Philosophy tells Boethius that "this sorrow will also pass." I found out that not only literature students can really appreciate good writing, but some of the most important leaders in the past as well. One great leader, Abraham Lincoln, retold the story like this: "It is said an Eastern monarch once charged his wise men to invent him a sentence to be ever in view, and which should be true and appropriate in all times and situations. They presented him the words: 'And this, too, shall pass away.' How much it expresses! How chastening in the hour of pride! How consoling in the depths of affliction." The text means even more to me now, knowing that a great leader like Abraham Lincoln understood that even ancient literature can be used to help us understand the world around us and stay humble in the sight of the Lord. Probably one of my favorite quotes from Abraham Lincoln is, “Many times I have found myself driven to my knees under the sole conviction there was no where else to go.” Abraham Lincoln understood many things we think are too important will pass away one day. Yet, he also understood the one thing that will remain is our Lord Jesus Christ.
Boethius also writes on page 27 in book II, “And lastly, when you have once put your neck beneath the yoke of Fortune, you must with steadfast heart bear whatever comes to pass within her realm.” We should accept the fate God has laid out before us with the same attitude that carried Abraham Lincoln, an attitude that brings us to our knees.