The foolβs life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.
EpicurusRead
The misfortune of the wise is better than the prosperity of the fool.
Interpretation
What this quote means
It's better to face challenges with wisdom than to live a prosperous but foolish life.
This quote by Epicurus highlights the value of wisdom and intellect over mere material success or prosperity. It suggests that the struggles and hardships faced by a wise person lead to greater understanding and depth of character, whereas a fool may enjoy riches or comfort but lacks true insight and fulfillment in life.
Themes
WisdomFoolProsperityMisfortuneIntellect
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the value of education and experience, this quote can underline the importance of wisdom.
More from Epicurus
All quotes βAccustom yourself to believe that death is nothing to us, for good and evil imply awareness, and death is the privation of all awareness; therefore a right understanding that death is nothing to us makes the mortality of life enjoyable, not by adding to life an unlimited time, but by taking away the yearning after immortality. For life has no terror; for those who thoroughly apprehend that there are no terrors for them in ceasing to live.
EpicurusRead
The wise man who has become accustomed to necessities knows better how to share with others than how to take from them, so great a treasure of self-sufficiency has he found.
EpicurusRead
We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink.
EpicurusRead
I was not, I was, I am not, I care not. (Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo)
EpicurusRead
Of all the means to insure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.
EpicurusRead
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All your scholarship, all your study of Shakespeare and Wordsworth would be in vain, if at the same time you do not build your character, and attain mastery over your thoughts and actions.
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Oh,Elizabeth, your justice would freeze beer.
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If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be this: don't be intimidated by other people's opinions.
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I don't underrate the value of military knowledge, but if men make war in slavish obedience to rules, they will fail.
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