15 Epicurus: Golden Maxims
Introduction
Epicurus (342-270 BCE) was born in Samos and is believed to have become a teacher in Colophon. He perhaps gained an interest in philosophy by reading Democritus. He subsequently formulated a philosophy of his own that extended the atomic theory of Democritus and his concept of cheerfulness. Epicurus probably started making his ideas public on the island of Lesbos in about 311 BCE. A few years later he returned to Athens, where he remained for the rest of his life, becoming famous for putting forward a broad-based philosophy linking the life of man and the physical world in a single atomic theory. He put forward his teachings in his garden outside of the city and became the venerated head of a unique society of men and women. When Epicurus died he left his house and garden in trust for the use of this society.
Epicurus held that both mind and matter were conglomerations of material elements, so accounting for the interaction of body and mind. As a member of a society that could punish impiety towards its gods with death, Epicurus does not deny their existence but points out that the qualities attributed to them suggest an indifference to humanity. He promoted a way of life based on removal of desires beyond those of natural needs, achievement of a simple lifestyle, cultivation of friendship, and enjoyment of carefree pleasures. The Epicureans avoided involvement in public or private activities with heavy responsibilities, and praised the life that escaped notice. (The desire for non-involvement and for harmony with nature resonate with the principles put forward by Lao Tzu, the Buddha, and others.)
These ideas opened up the school to many people (including slaves) who could not gain access to the more worldly philosophers whose incomes grew by catering for the powerful, wealthy and educated. Not surprisingly, Epicurus was ridiculed by opposing philosophers and the distortions they applied to some of his ideas continue to this day. The philosophy of Epicurus has survived in three letters, a collection of maxims, and various short fragments. Extracts from these have been combined in the following paragraphs. As Epicurus admitted both men and women to his garden, the extracts have been changed from the masculine to the neuter gender.
1 Let no one be slow to seek knowledge and understanding when they are young, nor be quick to tire of the search for wisdom when they grow old. For no age is too early or too late to be concerned with the health of the mind. And to say that the time for philosophy has not yet come, or that it is passed and gone, is like saying that the time for happiness is not yet come, or that it is gone for ever.
2 By the love of true philosophy every troubling and painful desire is destroyed. Vain is the discourse of that philosopher by which no human suffering is healed.
3 We must laugh and philosophize at the same time as we do our household chores and go about our other business, and never s