42 1-7 to 1-9
every animal; and the one is congenial to us, the other uncongenial. By
means of them we judge what to choose and what to avoid. Of inquiries,
some deal with objective facts, others with mere words.
This, then, is an elementary account of the division of philosophy and
the criterion.
Report of Epicurus' Ethical Views: [1-8]
Diogenes Laertius 10.117-121
117 .... He writes as follows on matters related to living and how we
should choose some things and avoid others. But first let us relate the
opinions of Epicurus and his followers about the wise man.
Harm from other men comes either as a result of hate or envy or
contempt, which the wise man overcomes by reasoning. Moreover, once
a man has become wise he can no longer take on the opposite disposition
nor feign it willingly. But he will be more affected by feelings-for they
would not hinder his progress towards wisdom. Nor indeed could people
with every bodily condition become wise, nor can people from every
race. 118. And even if the wise man is tortured on the rack, he is happy.
Only the wise man will be grateful and he will persist in speaking well
of friends equally whether they are present or absent. But when he is
tortured on the rack he will moan and groan. The wise man will not
have intercourse with a woman in a manner forbidden by the laws,
according to Diogenes in his summary of Epicurus' ethical doctrines.
Nor will he punish his servants, but rather will pity them and forgive
one who is virtuous. They do not believe that the wise man will fall in
love, nor that he will worry about his burial, nor that love is sent by the
gods, according to Diogenes in his ... [There is a lacuna here.] ... Nor
will he be a good public speaker. "Sexual intercourse", they say, "never
helped anyone, and one must be satisfied if it has not harmed."
- And indeed the wise man will marry and father children, as
Epicurus says in his Problems and in the On Nature. But he will marry
[only] when it is indicated by the circumstances of his life at a given
time. And some will be diverted from this. Nor indeed will he rant and
rave while under the influence of drink, as Epicurus says in his Symposium.
Nor will he participate in civic life, as he says in book one of On Ways
of Lift. Neither will he be a tyrant or a Cynic, as he says in book two
of On Ways of Lift; nor will he be a beggar. But if he were to be blinded
he would go on living, as he says in the same book. And the wise man
will feel pain, as Diogenes says in book five of his Selections. 120a. And
he will serve as a juror, and leave written treatises, though he will not
deliver panegyrics. And he will take thought for his possessions and for