The wise man thinks of fame just enough to avoid being despised.
—Epicurus
Topics: Fame
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for.
—Epicurus
Let nothing be done in your life, which will cause you fear if it becomes known to your neighbor.
—Epicurus
Topics: Goodness, Fear, Action, Kindness, Excellence, Virtue, Life
Whoever does not regard what he has as most ample wealth is unhappy, though he is master of the world.
—Epicurus
Topics: Happiness, Gratitude, Blessings, Appreciation, Unhappiness
Any device whatever by which one frees himself from fear is a natural good.
—Epicurus
Topics: Fear, Anxiety
Injustice is not intrinsically bad: people regard it as evil only because it is accompanied by the fear that they will not escape the officials who are appointed to punish evil actions.
—Epicurus
A strict belief in fate is the worst kind of slavery; on the other hand there is comfort in the thought that God will be moved by our prayers.
—Epicurus
Topics: Fate, Destiny
To be rich is not the end, but only a change, of worries.
—Epicurus
Topics: Worry
Of all the things which wisdom provides to make life entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship.
—Epicurus
There is no such thing as justice in the abstract; it is merely a compact between men.
—Epicurus
Topics: Justice
Nothing is enough for the man to whom enough is too little.
—Epicurus
Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.
—Epicurus
Let no one delay the study of philosophy when young nor weary of it when old.
—Epicurus
It is impossible to live pleasurably without living prudently, and honorably, and justly; or to live prudently, and honorably, and justly, without living pleasurably.
—Epicurus
Of all the things that wisdom provides for the happiness of a whole life, the most important by far is acquiring friends.
—Epicurus
No pleasure is intrinsically bad, but what causes pleasure is accompanied by many things that disturb pleasure.
—Epicurus
A free life cannot acquire many possessions, because this is not easy to do without servility to mobs or monarchs…
—Epicurus
Topics: Life and Living
The happiest men are those who have reached the point where they have nothing to fear from those who surround them.
—Epicurus
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Plato Ancient Greek Philosopher
Xenocrates Greek Philosopher, Scientist
Aristotle Ancient Greek Philosopher
Epictetus Ancient Greek Philosopher
Heraclitus Ancient Greek Philosopher
Plotinus Ancient Greek Philosopher, Mystic
Bias of Priene Greek Orator
Euripides Ancient Greek Dramatist
Homer Ancient Greek Poet
Pythagoras Greek Philosopher