Letter to Menoeceus

Letter to Menoeceus is a concise guide to living a happy life according to Epicurean philosophy. It teaches that pleasure properly understood is the true goal of life. This means seeking freedom from pain and mental disturbance through simple pleasures friendship and wisdom. Epicurus reminds us that death is nothing to fear and that living modestly leads to genuine contentment.

What stood out to me was the emphasis on personal peace and practical wisdom. In a chaotic world this letter offers a clear map to inner calm by rejecting needless desires and embracing what is truly necessary.

It is important to note that Epicurus does not endorse hedonism as it is commonly misunderstood. He distinguishes pleasure from hedonism which is a misguided pursuit of excess born from suffering rather than true well-being. Pleasure as he means it is about balanced living and removing unnecessary pain not indulgence for its own sake.

Books to continue this path:

• Principal Doctrines, Epicurus

• Vatican Sayings, Epicurus

• On Nature, Epicurus