Note 14 — Chapter XIX · THE MORAL SCIENCE OF THE EPICUREANS. GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

It has been already seen how Epicurus thought to rise above pains, and to emancipate himself from the fear of the Gods and death.14 And it has been further noticed that he thinks to secure by means of his principles the same independence and happiness which the Stoics aspired to by means of theirs. But whilst the Stoics hoped to attain this independence by crushing the senses, Epicurus was content to restrain and regulate them. Desires he would not have uprooted, but he would have them brought into proper proportion to the collective end and condition of life, into the equilibrium necessary for perfect repose of mind. Hence, notwithstanding his own simplicity, Epicurus is far from disapproving, under all circumstances, of a fuller enjoyment of life. The wise man will not live as a Cynic or a beggar.15 Care for business he will not neglect; only he will not trouble himself too much about it, and will prefer the business of education to any and every other.16 Nor will he despise the attractions of art, although he is satisfied when obliged to do without them.17 In short, his self-sufficiency will not consist in using little, but in needing little; and it is this freedom from wants which adds flavour to his more luxurious enjoyments.18 His attitude to death is the same. Not fearing death, rather seeking it when he has no other mode of escaping unendurable suffering, he will resort to suicide if necessary, but the cases will be rare, because he has learnt to be happy under all bodily pains. The Stoic’s recommendation of suicide finds no favour with him.19