Menoeceus 127-128

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Translation

One should keep in mind that among desires, some are natural and some are vain. Of those that are natural, some are necessary and some unnecessary. Of those that are necessary, some are necessary for happiness, some for health, and some for life itself. A correct view of these matters enables one to base every choice and avoidance upon whether it secures or upsets bodily comfort and peace of mind – the goal of a happy life.

Everything we do is for the sake of freedom from pain and anxiety. Once this is achieved, the storms in the soul are stilled. Nothing else and nothing more are needed to perfect the well-being of the body and soul. It is when we feel pain that we must seek relief, which is pleasure. And when we no longer feel pain, we no longer need pleasure.

Analysis

Following once again the order of the tetrapharmakos, this passage proceeds with the Epicurean theory of the desires. Much of this excerpt offers alternative phrasing of the same principles discussed in the Principal Doctrines:

• Some desires are natural, while others are kenai, empty, vain. With such an unmitigated negative description of the latter, Epicurus obviously advises against them.

• Among the natural desires, some are necessary, others unnecessary. The former are necessary for our well-being, our physical comfort, or for life itself.

There are thus three categories of desires:

• Natural and necessary,
• natural but unnecessary, and
• unnatural and unnecessary

The one who understands this distinction correctly, argues Epicurus, knows how to reduce all the myriad, complex decisions of life to one, fundamental question: does a choice (or avoidance) lead to physical well-being and tranquility, or does it not? Bodily health and peace of mind are, after all, the end-goal of a happy life.

Epicurus closes this passage with multiple confirmations of the same, basic point:

• All we do is for the purpose of not suffering physical pain or mental anguish.

• Once we attain physical comfort and peace of mind, we are ridden of all anxiety.

• Once we attain these two goals, we need to pursue nothing further; our gratification is complete.

• We only seek what we lack: pleasure, when in pain. When not in pain, we do not need pleasure.

While this excerpt does not offer any additional insights than the related Principal Doctrine 29 and Principal Doctrine 30, it refines and defines the necessary desires by their desiderata: survival, comfort, well-being.