Epicurus: The Principal Doctrines

Epicurus developed a system of ethics embracing every conception or form of life that can be traced to the principles of his philosophy. Notably Epicurus's ethic of pleasure is the exact opposite of the Stoic's ethic of duty. The consequences, however, are the same: in the end, the Epicurean is asked to live with the same temperance and justice as the Stoic. The Principal Doctrines developed by Epicurus are one of the few surviving documents. This surviving original text is presented here.