Epicurus
Epicurus (341–270 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher and founder of Epicureanism. Born on Samos to Athenian parents, he studied philosophy before establishing schools in Mytilene and Lampsacus. Around 306 BCE, he settled in Athens and founded the Garden, a philosophical community that admitted women and enslaved people. His philosophy taught that happiness consists primarily in freedom from bodily pain and mental disturbance, achieved through prudent living, friendship, and the rational removal of fear, especially fear of the gods and death. He died in Athens in 270 BCE.
Quotes
- Death is nothing to us.
- So long as we exist, death is not...
- It is not the man who has few...
- Not what we have but what we enjoy...
- The wealth demanded by nature is...
- It is impossible to live a pleasant...
- Of all the things which wisdom...
- He who is not satisfied with a...
- The greatest fruit of...
- Empty is the argument of the...
- We must not pretend to study...
- Let no one delay the study of...
- It is possible to provide security...
- Nothing is enough for the man to...
- The stable condition of well-being...
- Do not spoil what you have by...
- You may fetter my leg, but Zeus...
- Vain is the word of a philosopher...
- Live unnoticed.
- It is not so much our friends' help...
- The man who follows nature and not...
- Against other things it is possible...
- Pleasure is the beginning and end...