Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who lived from 341 to 270 BC. He was a major contributor to the development of the philosophy of Epicureanism, which emphasizes pleasure as the chief aim of life. Epicurus’s philosophy also states that pleasure should be sought in moderation and that living a simple life is the key to true happiness. Epicurus’s teachings had a large influence on other philosophers throughout history, and his quotes continue to inspire people today. Here are some famous quotes from Epicurus that capture his thoughts on life, pleasure, and happiness.”The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.” – Epicurus
Epicurus Quotes on Pleasure
Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who proposed a theory of pleasure known as hedonism, which states that pleasure is the ultimate goal in life. His quotes on pleasure have long been a source of inspiration for people seeking to live a life of fulfillment and joy. Here are some of Epicurus’ most famous quotes about pleasure:
“The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity.”
“It is impossible to live a pleasant life without living wisely and well and justly (and) it is impossible to live wisely and well and justly without living pleasantly.”
“No greater fruit can come from any undertaking than that it should make us happy.”
“The art of living well and the art of dying well are one.”
“Those who have the greatest familiarity with pleasures always have the least inclination for them.”
“If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.”
“The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life – knowing that under certain circumstances it is not worthwhile to live.”
Epicurus Quotes on Friendship
Epicurus was a philosopher of Ancient Greece whose teachings focused on pleasure and joy. He believed that friendship should be nurtured and celebrated as it is essential for a happy life. He had many insights into friendship, which he shared in his writings and teachings. Here are some of Epicurus’ best quotes on friendship:
“Friendship dances around the world, spreading joy and love.”
“Friendship is the source of the greatest pleasures, for without friends no one would choose to live, though having all other goods.”
“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”
“The soul takes refuge in friendship when it is hard pressed by misfortunes.”
“It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.”
“Friendship multiplies joys and divides griefs.”
“A faithful friend is a strong defense; And he that hath found him hath found a treasure.”
Epicurus Quotes on Nature
Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher who believed in the power of nature. He believed that nature was the source of all true happiness and that it should be treasured and respected. He wrote extensively about the importance of being in harmony with nature and its many gifts. His words continue to provide insight into the natural world even today. Here are some of his most inspiring quotes on nature:
“Not what we have But what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.”
This quote emphasizes the importance of appreciating what we already have, instead of striving for more material possessions. By recognizing and enjoying the beauty and abundance of nature, we can achieve true happiness.
“The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life – knowing that under certain conditions it is not worthwhile to live.”
This quote speaks to the power of resilience in times of crisis. Epicurus believed that a person should be willing to sacrifice their own life if necessary, but only if it serves a greater purpose. This philosophy encourages us to think deeply about how our actions can help others in times of need.
“We must meditate often on the things which produce happiness since, if that be present, we have everything, and if it be absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it.”
This quote highlights Epicurus’ belief that happiness should always be our ultimate goal. He believed that by meditating on how we can find joy in nature and its gifts, we can achieve true contentment in life.
“The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity.”
This quote reminds us not to get caught up in chasing material possessions or other vain desires. Instead, Epicurus encouraged us to focus on finding satisfaction through appreciating what nature has already provided us with.
Epicurus Quotes on Death
Epicurus was one of the most influential philosophers of the ancient world, and his teachings on death and dying have had a lasting impact. Epicurus believed that death was not to be feared, but instead embraced as a natural part of life. He taught that death is simply a cessation of life, and that it should not be seen as something to be feared or avoided. Epicurus also argued that death cannot bring harm to the living, as it is simply the end of an individual’s life.
Epicurus’ views on death were based on his belief in hedonism, which is the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain. He believed that if one lived a good life, then death would not be something to be feared. Instead, one could accept their mortality and make the most out of their life while they were alive. Epicurus also argued that those who fear death are actually more likely to suffer in life due to their fear and anxiety about dying.
Epicurus famously said, “Death does not concern us because as long as we exist, death is not here. And when it does come, we no longer exist”. This quote reflects his view that those who are alive should focus on living their lives to the fullest, rather than worrying about what happens after they die. His teachings emphasize making the most out of life while we are here instead of worrying about what happens after we die.
The idea of accepting death and embracing mortality has been popularized by Epicurus’ words over time and has been adopted by many people today who use it as a way to cope with their own mortality. His teachings have helped many individuals come to terms with death and make peace with it instead of living in fear or dreading the unknown future that comes with dying.
Overall, Epicurus’ views on death have had a lasting impact on how people think about mortality today. His teachings emphasize accepting our mortality and making the most out of our lives before it is too late. By embracing our own mortality instead of fearing it, we can live our lives more fully without worrying about what will happen after we die.
Epicurus Quotes on Happiness
Epicurus was a Greek philosopher who lived from 341 BCE to 270 BCE. He was one of the most influential thinkers in ancient Greece, and his quotes on happiness remain relevant today. Epicurus believed that happiness was the ultimate goal of life, and that it could be achieved through moderation and living simply. Here are some of his most famous quotes on happiness:
“Not what we have but what we enjoy constitutes our abundance.”
Epicurus believed that true abundance comes from enjoying the simple pleasures of life, rather than having material possessions. He argued that people’s wants should be limited in order to live more happily and contentedly.
“It is better for you to be free of fear lying upon a pallet, than to have a golden couch and a rich table and be full of trouble.”
This quote speaks to Epicurus’ view that luxury items don’t necessarily lead to happiness or contentment; rather, it is important to find peace within oneself and eliminate fear in order to achieve true joy.
“The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity.”
This quote warns against pursuing unrealistic goals or desires; according to Epicurus, true happiness can only be achieved when one’s wants are kept within reason.
“We must consider how much time we lose, how much we move without purpose, how much we squander in vain activities.”
Here Epicurus emphasizes the importance of being mindful of how one spends their days; he argues that living with purpose is essential for finding true joy in life.
Overall, Epicurus’ views on how to achieve true happiness remain relevant even today; his quotes offer timeless wisdom about the power of living simply and with moderation.
Epicurus Quotes on Knowledge
Epicurus was a philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE and is renowned for his teachings on the pursuit of happiness. He had a lot to say about knowledge, emphasizing that it is essential for understanding the world and ourselves. Here are some of Epicurus’ most profound quotes on knowledge:
“Not what we have But what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.”
Epicurus believed that material wealth was not as important as enjoying the things that we have. He encouraged us to focus on maximizing our enjoyment of life rather than accumulating possessions.
“The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests.”
This quote speaks to Epicurus’ belief that knowledge comes from overcoming difficult challenges and situations. He argued that through these experiences, we can learn valuable lessons and become better individuals in the process.
“The fool’s life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.”
According to Epicurus, those who lack knowledge are consumed by fear and uncertainty because they lack an understanding of their circumstances. On the other hand, those with knowledge have a better appreciation of life because they understand how to make wise decisions in any situation.
“There is no such thing as justice in the abstract; it is merely a compact between men.”
Epicurus thought that concepts like justice cannot exist without people coming together and agreeing on something. He saw knowledge as essential for understanding how these agreements work and how they can be used to benefit society as a whole.
Epicurus Quotes on Freedom
Epicurus was one of the most influential ancient Greek philosophers and his teachings continue to be relevant today. One of the key elements of his philosophy was the importance of freedom. He believed that true freedom comes from being at peace with oneself and not allowing external pressures to control our lives. Epicurus taught that we should live simply, focus on what is important, and enjoy the simple pleasures in life. Here are some Epicurus quotes on freedom that highlight his views on this essential subject.
“Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little”. This quote highlights Epicurus’s belief that true freedom comes from being satisfied with what one has rather than striving for more material possessions or wealth. It also stresses the importance of contentment and reminds us that we should appreciate what we have rather than desiring more.
“The wise man does not expose himself needlessly to danger, since there are few things for which he cares sufficiently; but he is willing, in great crises, to give even his life — knowing that under certain conditions it is not worth living”. This quote highlights Epicurus’s view that true freedom comes from making decisions based on our own desires and needs, rather than trying to please others or seek approval from them. It also emphasizes the importance of standing up for what we believe in, even if it means putting ourselves in danger or sacrificing our comfort and safety.
“The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity”. This quote emphasizes Epicurus’s belief that true freedom comes from pursuing simple needs rather than striving for infinite material possessions or wealth. It also reminds us that this pursuit should be balanced with a sense of moderation and focusing on what truly matters in life.
“It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us as the confident knowledge that they will help us”. This quote highlights Epicurus’s belief in relying on ourselves first when it comes to achieving true freedom. It also stresses the importance of having close friends who can provide support when needed, but ultimately relying on our own strength as well as our own determination when it comes to making decisions about our lives.
In conclusion, Epicurus’s quotes on freedom highlight his views about how we should live our lives: focusing on simplicity and contentment, understanding what truly matters in life, having confidence in ourselves and relying on close friends when needed, pursuing simple needs rather than infinite material possessions or wealth, and standing up for what we believe in even if it means putting ourselves in danger or sacrificing comfort or safety.
Conclusion
Epicurus quotes offer timeless wisdom on how to live a fulfilled life. They focus on the importance of friendship, virtue and pleasure as the key components of a meaningful life. Epicurus emphasised that the highest good is found in living an examined life with a sense of moderation, and that freedom from anxiety is only possible if one lives in accordance with nature.
The teachings of Epicurus continue to inspire generations today, providing guidance on how to live an authentic and fulfilling life in spite of the uncertainties and challenges we may face. By following Epicurus’ advice, we can learn to cultivate joy, freedom, and contentment in our lives.
Ultimately, it can be said that Epicurus’ timeless words of wisdom still hold true today – happiness is obtained by cultivating meaningful relationships with others, being mindful of one’s actions, and finding contentment in the simple pleasures of life.