Epicurus on the limits of true pleasure

“Bodily pleasure is not enlarged once the pains brought on by need have been done away with; it is only diversified. And the limit of mental pleasure is established by rational reflection on pleasures themselves and those kindred emotions that once instilled extreme fear in human minds.

Infinite time contains no greater pleasure than does finite time, if one determines the limits of pleasure rationally. …

One who understands the limits of the good life knows that what eliminates the pains brought on by need and what makes the whole of life perfect is easily obtained, so that there is no need for enterprises that entail the struggle for success.”

(Leading Doctrines, 18-21)

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