Epicurus discouraged the pursuit of power, fame, and wealth because he believed they do not lead to true happiness. Instead, they create anxiety, competition, and constant desire for more.
His philosophy was based on ataraxia (peace of mind) and aponia (freedom from physical pain), which he argued could be best achieved through simple pleasures, friendship, and self-sufficiency.
Here’s why he rejected each:
Power breeds fear—of losing it, of enemies, of betrayal.
Fame makes you dependent on others’ opinions, which are unstable and beyond your control.
Wealth leads to endless desire; once basic needs are met, more money doesn’t bring more peace.
Epicurus thought that by letting go of these external pursuits, people could focus on what really matters: calm, modest living, close relationships, and personal reflection.
Side effects of power, fame and wealth
Yeah we all know how great being powerful, famous and wealthy is but risks cannot be eliminated out of that. As epicureans the major goal is to live a happy life through simple and long lasting methods. You do not need to stress a lot just to get you ass happy in this world.
Here are the core disadvantages of power, fame, and wealth—broken down clearly:
🔺 Power
Paranoia: Constant fear of being overthrown, undermined, or betrayed.
Isolation: Few people challenge you honestly; many just say what you want to hear.
Moral compromise: Temptation to control, manipulate, or abuse others.
Pressure: Decisions carry high stakes, and mistakes are magnified.
🔺 Fame
Loss of privacy: Your life becomes public property—photos, rumors, drama.
Superficial relationships: Hard to know who genuinely cares versus who wants clout.
Public pressure: One misstep can lead to backlash, cancelation, or ridicule.
Self-identity issues: You risk becoming who the crowd wants, not who you are.
🔺 Wealth
Target for exploitation: Scammers, lawsuits, fake friends, and greedy family.
Lifestyle inflation: The more you have, the more you spend—and expect.
Emptiness: Money doesn’t solve emotional or spiritual problems.
Risk aversion: Fear of losing wealth can make you less bold or authentic.
How much money is enough for an epicurean?
To live as an Epicurean, "enough money" means covering your basic needs—food, shelter, health, and a little comfort—so you can focus on peace of mind, friendship, and reflection, not chasing wealth.
Here’s how it breaks down in Epicurean terms:
Needs to Cover
Simple, nourishing food (not luxury dining)
Safe, modest housing
Clothing and basic health care
Time and space for friends, reading, and rest
Freedom from debt or financial anxiety
Epicurus famously said:
“If you wish to be rich, do not add to your money but subtract from your desires.”
So instead of asking how much is enough, the better question is: what can you live without? Epicureans believed happiness comes when desires are limited to what’s natural and necessary.
Rough Estimate (modern context)
In today's terms (varies by country), an Epicurean lifestyle might be comfortable on:
$20,000–$40,000 per year (solo, modest living in a low-to-mid cost area)
Enough to live without stress, not to impress.
Summary
We understand how great power, fame and wealth brings to one's life, but that is unnecessary for epicureans. We want something simple but provides stable happiness. The goal isn’t poverty—it’s freedom from excess, so you can focus on what really matters.
