That night, Cleon slept on a straw mat in the garden, under the stars. He dreamed not of gold or glory, but of figs and friendly voices.
Epicurus added one more thing: “We do not fear the gods — for the gods, if they exist, are too blissful to care about our petty worries. And we do not fear death — for where death is, we are not. Where we are, death is not. So why waste a single moment on fear?” epicurus the art of happiness pdf
Cleon looked around again. The people weren’t pretending to be happy. They were laughing at a simple joke, helping each other water the herbs, and resting in the afternoon shade. That night, Cleon slept on a straw mat
Epicurus drew three lines in the sand.
Cleon frowned. “So you say I should want nothing?” And we do not fear death — for where death is, we are not
“No,” Epicurus said gently. “I say: want what is enough. ”
He plucked a ripe fig from a nearby tree. “People believe happiness requires endless money, powerful friends, and exotic pleasures. But watch a child with a fig — pure joy needs no gold. The problem isn’t pleasure itself. The problem is empty desires.”