Letter to Menoeceus for a Happy Life
Advise for living a better life.
Letter to Menoeceus is a philosophical text attributed to the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus.
Although the original letter has not survived, it is known through the writings of the Roman philosopher and poet Lucretius, who included an excerpt from it in his poem “On the Nature of Things.”
Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher and sage who founded Epicureanism, a highly influential school of philosophy.
Epicurus’ Letter to Menoeceus is a summary of his ethical teachings written in the epistolary literary style and addressed to a student.
It addresses theology, the hierarchies of desires, how to carry choices and avoidances in order to achieve pleasure, and other aspects of Epicurean ethics.
In the letter, Epicurus provides guidance on how to live a good and fulfilling life.
He emphasizes the pursuit of pleasure as the ultimate goal, but he defines pleasure in a broader sense than mere hedonistic indulgence.
