Letters and Principal Doctrines
Forthcoming The translation of this work is in preparation and will be published in the library.
Introduction
'Death is nothing to us: when we exist, death is not present, and when death is present, we no longer exist.' This small book contains the three most complete original texts of Epicurean philosophy: the Letter to Herodotus, outlining the atomist philosophy of nature; the Letter to Pythocles, on the heavens; and the Letter to Menoeceus, which explains in a few pages how to live happily; together with the forty Principal Doctrines and the sayings found in a Vatican manuscript. 'Epicurean' is often misread as self-indulgence; the original texts show that Epicurus taught moderation, friendship and peace of mind.