Epicurus Quotes

The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure

Of the thousands who have paid homage to virtue, barely one has thought to inspect the pedestal on which it stands.

Men inflict injuries from hatred, jealousy or contempt, but the wise man masters all these passions by means of reason.

Let no one delay the study of philosophy while young nor weary of it when old.

The impassive soul disturbs neither itself nor others.

Epicurus said you should live for pleasure - adding that nothing brings more pleasure than a little sun and a glass of water. It is on this principle that our conjugal existence has rested for three years, devoted to making love, reading, eating excellent meals, spending a few days in a nice hotel by the sea, visiting out friends (not very many, all without children), going to concerts and movies, sleeping, cultivating our garden.

The true Epicurean cultivates the capacity to take pleasure in simple things, while those around him chase pleasure in more things.

The noble man is chiefly concerned with wisdom and friendship; of these, the former is a mortal good, the latter and immortal one.

Death means nothing to us

I now wish that I had spent somewhat more of my life with verse. This is not because I fear having missed out on truths that are incapable of statement in prose. There are no such truths; there is nothing about death that Swinburne and Landor knew but Epicurus and Heidegger failed to grasp. Rather, it is because I would have lived more fully if I had been able to rattle off more old chestnuts — just as I would have if I had made more close friends.

If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.

I would like Epicurus and Buddha to become one.