• MAIN PAGE
  • LATEST NEWS
    • Lost Cities
    • Archaeology's Greatest Finds
    • Underwater Discoveries
    • Greatest Inventions
    • Studies
    • Blog
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • HISTORY
  • RELIGIONS
    • Africa
    • Anatolia
    • Arabian Peninsula
    • Balkan Region
    • China - East Asia
    • Europe
    • Eurasian Steppe
    • Levant
    • Mesopotamia
    • Oceania - SE Asia
    • Pre-Columbian Civilizations of America
    • Iranian Plateau - Central Asia
    • Indus Valley - South Asia
    • Japan
    • The Archaeologist Editor Group
    • Scientific Studies
    • Aegean Prehistory
    • Historical Period
    • Byzantine Middle Ages
    • Predynastic Period
    • Dynastic Period
    • Greco-Roman Egypt
  • Rome
  • PALEONTOLOGY
  • About us
Menu

The Archaeologist

  • MAIN PAGE
  • LATEST NEWS
  • DISCOVERIES
    • Lost Cities
    • Archaeology's Greatest Finds
    • Underwater Discoveries
    • Greatest Inventions
    • Studies
    • Blog
  • PHILOSOPHY
  • HISTORY
  • RELIGIONS
  • World Civilizations
    • Africa
    • Anatolia
    • Arabian Peninsula
    • Balkan Region
    • China - East Asia
    • Europe
    • Eurasian Steppe
    • Levant
    • Mesopotamia
    • Oceania - SE Asia
    • Pre-Columbian Civilizations of America
    • Iranian Plateau - Central Asia
    • Indus Valley - South Asia
    • Japan
    • The Archaeologist Editor Group
    • Scientific Studies
  • GREECE
    • Aegean Prehistory
    • Historical Period
    • Byzantine Middle Ages
  • Egypt
    • Predynastic Period
    • Dynastic Period
    • Greco-Roman Egypt
  • Rome
  • PALEONTOLOGY
  • About us

5 Truths We Learned from Epicurus About Happiness

March 29, 2025

Epicurus and His Philosophy

Epicurus, the ancient philosopher who dared to suggest that the key to a happy life isn’t found in the pursuit of wealth or fame but in simple pleasures and the mindful management of our desires.

While other philosophers were busy constructing grand metaphysical systems or pondering the nature of reality and the governance of societies, Epicurus was more concerned with human pleasures and how they shape our lives.

1. Not All Desires Are Equal

Epicurus categorized desires into three types:

  • Natural and necessary desires: These include basic needs such as food, shelter, and companionship. Satisfying these leads to true well-being.

  • Natural but unnecessary desires: These encompass luxuries like gourmet food or a lavish lifestyle. While natural, they are not essential for happiness.

  • Vain and empty desires: These include the pursuit of power, wealth, or fame. They are neither natural nor necessary and often result in greater dissatisfaction.

By understanding this classification, we can focus on fulfilling the desires that truly matter, leading to a more meaningful and content life.

2. Pleasure Is Essentially the Absence of Pain

Epicurus taught that the highest form of pleasure is the absence of pain and distress—both physical and mental. This state, known as ataraxia, is achieved not by indulging in every fleeting pleasure but by eliminating pain and unnecessary desires. It is a serene condition where one finds contentment in life’s simple joys.

3. The Best Pleasures Are the Simple Ones

According to Epicurus, the most satisfying pleasures are the simplest ones—enjoying a modest meal, engaging in meaningful conversations with friends, or contemplating nature. These pleasures are easy to attain and sustain, leading to lasting happiness without the complications that excessive desires bring.

4. Knowledge Dispels Fear

Epicurus believed that many of our anxieties stem from irrational fears, such as fear of the gods or fear of death. He argued that gaining knowledge about the natural world and understanding death as simply the end of sensation can free us from these fears, leading to a more peaceful life.

5. Friendship Is Essential for Happiness

Epicurus placed great importance on friendship, considering it one of the fundamental components of a happy life. He believed that friends provide security, support, and joy, enriching our lives in ways that material possessions cannot.

Epicurus was one of the first philosophers to place human desires and pleasures at the core of understanding human psychology. His insights not only influenced philosophical thought but also resonate with modern psychology, particularly in areas related to happiness, desire management, and well-being.

So, the next time you savor a simple meal or enjoy a heartfelt conversation with a friend, remember—you’re not just indulging in a pleasure; you’re embracing the wisdom of Epicurus, who taught us that true happiness lies in appreciating life’s simplest joys.


← The German City That Inspired a Classic Horror FilmHow Dark Was Heraclitus to Earn the Title ‘The Obscure Philosopher’? →
Featured
488657894_575421028886902_4044781128690692493_n (1).jpg
Aug 16, 2025
“Denny,” the Denisovan–Neanderthal Girl: why one small bone changed the story of our mixed human past
Aug 16, 2025
Read More →
Aug 16, 2025
Denmark to remove Copenhagen’s “pornographic and very primitive” mermaid statue
Aug 16, 2025
Denmark to remove Copenhagen’s “pornographic and very primitive” mermaid statue
Aug 16, 2025
Read More →
Aug 16, 2025
Στιγμιότυπο οθόνης 2025-08-11 011206.png
Aug 11, 2025
The Limestone Icarus Memorial of Poland: Nazi Ambition Carved in Stone
Aug 11, 2025
Read More →
Aug 11, 2025
Nemea_-_Temple_of_Zeus (1).jpg
Aug 9, 2025
10 Overlooked but Unforgettable Archaeological Sites in Greece to Explore This Summer
Aug 9, 2025
Read More →
Aug 9, 2025
Early_migrations_mercator.svg.png
Aug 8, 2025
Cro-Magnon DNA, Out of Africa, and the Myths That Won’t Die
Aug 8, 2025
Read More →
Aug 8, 2025
εικόνα_2025-08-08_212250261.png
Aug 8, 2025
Koalas Have Fingerprints Almost Identical to Ours — Here’s Why That’s Astonishing
Aug 8, 2025
Read More →
Aug 8, 2025
read more

Powered by The archaeologist