Epicurean (The Garden)
Ἐπίκουρος
341 – 270 BCE · Samos; taught in Athens
Epicurus founded a school in a garden outside Athens that welcomed women and slaves. Most of his writing is lost, but letters and maxims survive through Diogenes Laertius. He taught that tranquillity comes from simple pleasures, friendship and freedom from fear.
“Death is nothing to us; for the body, when it has been resolved into its elements, has no feeling, and that which has no feeling is nothing to us.”
Epicurus, Principal Doctrines 2 (in Diogenes Laertius, Lives X.139), Principal Doctrine 2 · trans. R. D. Hicks (1925) · source
Wording awaiting editorial check against the source.
Hicks Loeb translation (1925); confirm exact wording and public-domain status in your jurisdiction before publication.
Of all the things that wisdom provides for a happy life as a whole, Epicurus counts the possession of friendship as by far the greatest.
Epicurus, Principal Doctrines, Principal Doctrine 27
No one should put off philosophy when young or grow weary of it when old, Epicurus writes, for it is never too early or too late to care for the health of the soul.
Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus, DL X.122
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
Epicurus divides desires into natural and empty, and natural ones into those necessary and those merely natural; knowing these distinctions guides every choice and avoidance.
Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus, DL X.127–128
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
Although pleasure is the first good, Epicurus says, we do not choose every pleasure; we sometimes pass over pleasures that bring greater pain, and accept pains that bring greater pleasure.
Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus, DL X.129–130
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
When we say pleasure is the goal, Epicurus insists, we do not mean the pleasures of the dissolute but freedom from pain in the body and from trouble in the soul.
Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus, DL X.131–132
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
Contrast with the Cyrenaics, who held that absence of pain is not pleasure.
It is impossible to live pleasantly without living wisely, honourably and justly, nor to live wisely, honourably and justly without living pleasantly.
Epicurus, Principal Doctrines, KD 5
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
Later Epicureans summarised the teaching as a fourfold remedy: god is not to be feared, death is not to be worried about, the good is easy to get, and the terrible is easy to endure.
Philodemus, Against the Sophists, PHerc. 1005, col. 4
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
A later Epicurean summary, not Epicurus’ own wording; reference needs checking.
Epicurus is said to have been content with bread and water, and once asked a friend to send a little pot of cheese so that he could feast when he liked.
Diogenes Laertius, Lives, X.11
Paraphrase and reference awaiting verification against the source.
Anecdote from a late source.
Epicurean (The Garden) (4th c. BCE onward). A calm, simple life of friendship and modest pleasures, free from needless fear of the gods and of death.