The system of Epicurus has been much misrepresented. He did not teach
mere refined animal enjoyment. He considered indeed human happiness as
the end of philosophy, and he defined happiness as pleasure,--pleasure
itself being defined as perfect independence, self-reliance, and
contentment. The great aim of his ethics was to point out the way to the
attainment of such happiness. The habits of Epicurus were temperate and
frugal. During the later years of his life, he was afflicted with much
physical suffering, and he bore it with fortitude and patience. He held
his celebrated school, which founded the sect bearing his name, in a
garden purchased by him at Athens.
20A. METRODORUS. _Greek Philosopher._
[Born either at Lampsacus or Athens, B.C. 329. Died B.C. 277. Aged
52.]
A devoted follower of Epicurus, between whom and his disciple the
closest friendship subsisted. Upon the death of Metrodorus, Epicurus
provided for his children. But Metrodorus failed to do justice to the
philosophy of his master; and was the first to attach to the Epicurean
idea the sensual notions that have ever since, more or less, been
identified with it.
[The master and his intimate friend and disciple united. Busts of
Epicurus are common. Such was the enthusiasm of his followers, that
his portrait was multiplied in every way, and even the furniture of
rooms engraved with his name. This double terminal is from the
Capitoline Museum, at Rome, and bears the names of the two
philosophers. It was dug up at Rome in 1742, when the foundations were
making for Sta. Maria Maggiore. Epicurus is identified also by a
beautiful and perfect little bronze found at Herculaneum amongst the
remains of a library of a disciple of Epicurus; which bronze is now in
the Naples Museum.]