Epicurus' principal doctrines
The beginnings of finding inner peace and tranquility
Hello comrades, recently I’ve been expanding my reading and writing to Epicurean philosophy. It may have its pitfalls in comparison with my chosen Philosophy for life, Stoicism. However, like the other Hellenistic schools there are things we can learn from the teachings of these great thinkers and writers of antiquity.
Epicurus of Samos the founder of the school wrote great volumes in his lifetime, which sadly are now lost to us. What remains are a bunch to writings from his contemporaries, and critics in the ancient Greco-Roman period. More on that another time.
There are a list principal doctrines of Epicureanism, which summarise the mains ideas behind Epicurean thinking, and I wanted to take the time to share my favourites with you. These remain because the ancient biographer Diogenes Laertius wrote about them in Lives of the Eminent Philosophers. A book I’d highly recommend going through in your lifetime.
I’m also drawing from a list of aphorisms from the school that come from a a 14th century Vatican manuscript related to Epicureanism. Let’s dive in.
A fourfold cure for anxiety (Tetrapharmakos)
You must not (1) fear the Gods, or (2) death. Know that the (3) goods in life are easy to obtain, and that (4) what is terrible is ultimately easy to endure.
1. A blessed and indestructible being has no trouble himself and brings no trouble upon any other being; so he is free from anger and partiality, for all such things imply weakness.
2. Death is nothing to us; for that which has been dissolved into its elements experiences no sensations, and that which has no sensation is nothing to us.
3. The magnitude of pleasure reaches its limit in the removal of all pain. When such pleasure is present, so long as it is uninterrupted, there is no pain either of body or of mind or of both together.
4. Continuous bodily pain does not last long; instead, pain, if extreme, is present a very short time, and even that degree of pain which slightly exceeds bodily pleasure does not last for many days at once. Diseases of long duration allow an excess of bodily pleasure over pain.
Understand the world to curb fears
12. It is impossible for someone to dispel his fears about the most important matters if he doesn't know the nature of the universe but still gives some credence to myths. So without the study of nature there is no enjoyment of pure pleasure.
Contentment comes from little
15. The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity.
The dangers of wealth
25. Poverty, if measured by the natural purpose of life, is great wealth; but wealth, if not limited, is great poverty.
The value of friendship
27. Of all things that wisdom provides for living one’s entire life in happiness, the greatest by far is the possession of friendship.
The key to a good life
39. He who desires to live in tranquility with nothing to fear from other men ought to make friends. Those of whom he cannot make friends, he should at least avoid rendering enemies; and if that is not in his power, he should, as much as possible, avoid all dealings with them, and keep them aloof, insofar as it is in his interest to do so.
On misfortune
55. We should find solace for misfortune in the happy memory of the things that are gone and in the knowledge that what has come to be cannot be undone.
The importance of self study
76. As you mature, you are such as I urge you to be, and you have recognised the difference between studying philosophy for yourself and for Greece. I rejoice with you.
Peace and tranquility
79. He who has peace of mind disturbs neither himself nor another.
If you’d like to view the full list of Vatican sayings, go here. And for the Principal Doctrines, visit here.
I’d also like to recommend these books I read last week on Epicurean Philosophy for a better understanding of the school:
The Fourfold Remedy: Epicurus and the Art of Happiness
Book Review:
I just finished up a quick review of the Stoic fable; The Stock Horse and The Stable Cat, by Phil Van Trueren. You can read it below:
https://medium.com/@endaharte/review-the-stock-horse-and-stable-cat-da4c8a3b72b6
Until next time,
Enda