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CHAP. II. What sort of Pleasure it is that Epicurus Recommends as the End of a Happy Life. That Virtue, (according to Epicurus) is essentially related to pleasure, as it tends to the main end and design of an happy Life Virtue and Desire Control Virtue enables control over natural and necessary desires versus excessive, harmful ones, fostering lasting satisfaction. “[…] We will say, that Temperance is not desirable for itself, but because it brings peace into our minds; it sweetens and preserves them in quiet. Because it’s temperance that directs us to follow reason, either in things that we ought to desire and follow, or things that we are to shun and avoid; for it is not sufficient to judge what ought to be, and what ought not to be, but we must likewise continue constant and resolved, in what we have so judged. […]But a generous, stout and courageous spirit, is free from such cares and troubles, because it despises death, and is so provided to receive grief and pain, that it knows the greatest are cured by death, and the least have divers intervals of rest; and that as for moderate griefs, we are masters of them. . […]” Justice and Friendship – Justice maintains social harmony, and friendship provides emotional support, both of which contribute to a tranquil, happy life. “There remains nothing else to be examined but Justice, of which we may almost say the same. For as I have already demonstrated, that wisdom, temperance and fortitude, are so joined with pleasure, that they cannot be separated from it, we ought to say the same of justice, which is not only inoffensive to all men, but does also constantly bring with it such advantages, as by the strength of its own nature, does quiet and settle the thoughts, by affording continual hopes of never wanting those things which an honest mind may desire. […]True reason therefore directs all men of sound judgment to observe the rules of justice, equity and fidelity, which are the best means to procure to ourselves the good esteem and Love of others, and which is absolutely necessary to render our lives pleasant and sedate. […]”
