Epicureanism

Most people think Stoics suppress emotions and Epicureans chase pleasure. Both wrong. The real difference is simpler: they disagree about what you can control. Stoics think you can control your reactions. Your judgments. How you interpret what happens to you. Everything else — health, wealth, other people — is outside your control. So focus on what’s inside. Epicureans think that’s asking too much. You can’t just decide to not feel hurt when someone betrays you....

Most people think Epicureanism means wild parties and excess. It doesn’t. Epicurus lived 2,300 years ago in ancient Greece. He founded a school called the Garden where he and his friends pursued what he considered the highest goal: pleasure. But his version of pleasure would bore most people today. Epicurus thought the best pleasures were simple ones. Good food—but not fancy food. Close friendships. A calm mind. Safety from harm. Enough money to meet basic needs, but not wealth....

Most people think Stoics were against pleasure and Epicureans were for it. That’s not the real disagreement. Both schools wanted the same thing: a peaceful mind free from anxiety. They just had completely different ideas about how to get there. The Epicureans said: avoid pain, seek simple pleasures, stay out of politics. Build a small circle of close friends. Don’t chase fame or power. Keep your needs minimal so the world can’t hurt you....