Epicurean thought (Epicurei)
Epicurean thought, named for Epicurus, says a good life is simple, friendly, and free from fear. It is not a license to grab every pleasure. Lucretius, a Roman poet, explained the idea in a long poem.
Grades 7–8. Roman values.
How it connects
Living simply with a calm mind is the classroom version. Pleasure here means the absence of pain and worry.
A line to remember
Divitiae grandes homini sunt vivere parce aequo animo.
A person's great wealth is to live simply, with a calm mind.
Lucretius, De Rerum Natura 5.1118–1119
Latin words that go with this card: vita, amicus.