The beginning and end of the happy life

“Pleasure, we declare, is the beginning and end of the happy life.” – Epicurus

This is as simple as the man could make it. Pleasure is the guide, and no other. Follow your pleasure – but to do so, you must use sober reasoning. It is not fair to this doctrine to “sort of” follow your pleasure, by jumping at the first short-sighted pleasure you come across.

No! You must consider that short-sighted pleasure and determine, for yourself, if taking it will contribute to your maximum pleasure!

It is all contained in this one pithy statement from Epicurus.