Epicureanism Epicurus

"When we say pleasure is the goal of life, we mean not the pleasures of the debauched and the dull, but freedom from bodily pain and mental anguish."

"Friendship is an immortal, deathless thing."

"The greatest good is friendship."

"Be modest in your desires, and peaceful will be your days."

"Do not fear god. Do not worry about death. What is good is easy to get, and what is terrible is easy to endure."

"He who is not satisfied with a little, is satisfied with nothing."

"When we identify the good life with a life of prudent moderation and self-sufficiency, we are identifying it with a life of virtue."

"The rich believe that the exercise of any faculty is a delightful thing, though it may be very disagreeable and mischievous."

"The moment when you have just recently escaped some terrible danger is a pleasure worth savoring."

"We should look for someone to share our life with—only the wise seek to live alone."

"Physics must not contradict the myths, but agree with them."

"We do not so much need the help of our friends as the confidence of their help in need."

"Idle men are like a fire that burns without producing anything."

"Accustom yourself to believing that death is nothing to us."

"Pain does not last forever."

"The flesh believes that it is not having enough; if the time comes when it will have what is enough, then it claims to want the unlimited."

"If you wish to make Pythocles rich, do not give him more money, but reduce his desires."

"Nature's wealth at its highest is limited; the wealth of vain desires extends to infinity."

"Live unknown."

"The noble soul should make itself content with the fewest and best."

"We must free ourselves from the prison of affairs and politics."

"Many in the pursuit of wealth forget how to live."

"Avoid a violent death, but have no fear of death itself."

"The good life is obtained by withdrawing from the desire for wealth."

"Empty is the argument of the philosopher by which no human suffering is therapeutically treated."

"You who have come of age should understand that friendship is the most precious of all possessions."

"When facing pain, we should comfort ourselves and remind ourselves that suffering does not last forever."

"A free life cannot acquire many possessions, because this is not easy to do without servility."

"Food and drink produce no benefit worthy of congratulation, when consumed simply to promote pleasure."

"The disturbance of the soul cannot be ended nor true joy created either by the possession of the greatest wealth or by honor and glory."