Epicurus Quotes on Nature
For Epicurus the study of nature was not idle speculation but the foundation of a tranquil life, and the quotes gathered here show that link. Epicurus held that without the study of nature there is no enjoyment of pure pleasure, because only an understanding of how the universe works can dispel the fears, of the gods and of death, that disturb the mind. His ethics applies a standard drawn from nature: he classifies desires as natural and necessary, natural but unnecessary, or neither, and observes that the wealth required by nature is limited and easy to procure, while the wealth demanded by vain opinion extends to infinity. He treats justice, too, as natural in origin, a useful pledge against mutual harm. Drawn largely from the Principal Doctrines, these passages present the knowledge of nature as the basis of contentment.
Quotes
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“Luxurious food and drinks , in no way protect you from harm. Wealth beyond what is natural, is no more use than an overflowing container. Real value is not generated by theaters, and baths, perfumes or ointments, but by philosophy .”
From the esplanade wall at Oenoanda , now in Turkey , as recorded by Diogenes of Oenoanda -
“Natural justice is a symbol or expression of usefulness, to prevent one person from harming or being harmed by another. (31)”
Sovereign Maxims | Variant: Natural justice is a pledge of reciprocal benefit, to prevent one man from harming or being harmed by another. -
“Sovereign Maxims”
Variant: Natural justice is a pledge of reciprocal benefit, to prevent one man from harming or being harmed by another. -
“The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity . (15)”
Sovereign Maxims -
“Of our desires some are natural and necessary , others are natural but not necessary; and others are neither natural nor necessary, but are due to groundless opinion . (29)”
Sovereign Maxims -
“Sobriety, as opposed to inebriety and gluttony, is of admirable use in teaching men that nature is satisfied with a little, and enabling them to content themselves with simple and frugal fare.”
Ancient and Modern Celebrated Freethinkers(Half-Hours with the Freethinkers) -
“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. (12)”
Sovereign Maxims | Variant translation: One cannot rid himself of his primal fears if he does not understand the nature of the universe, but instead suspects the truth of some mythical story. So without the study of nat