The foolβs life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.
EpicurusRead
The wealth required by nature is limited and is easy to procure; but the wealth required by vain ideals extends to infinity.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True wealth comes from the natural world and is attainable, whereas the wealth sought by societal ideals is insatiable and boundless.
Epicurus highlights the difference between the wealth that is naturally available and sustainable, and the endless pursuit of materialism driven by social expectations. He suggests that while our natural needs can be easily met, the desires created by vanity are unquenchable, leading individuals to a state of perpetual dissatisfaction. This quote invites reflection on what constitutes true wealth and encourages a shift towards valuing simpler, more attainable goals.
Themes
WealthNatureVanityDesiresMaterialism
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on sustainable living, this quote can highlight the importance of appreciating what nature provides.
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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I don't believe in astrology. The only stars I can blame for my failures are those that walk about the stage.
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The liar was the hottest to defend his veracity, the coward his courage, the ill-bred his gentlemanliness, and the cad his honor
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