Epicurus developed a system of ethics embracing every conception or form of life that can be traced to the principles of his philosophy. Notably Epicurus’s ethic of pleasure is the exact opposite of the Stoic’s ethic of duty. The consequences, however, are the same: in the end, the Epicurean is asked to live with the same temperance and justice as the Stoic. The Principal Doctrines developed by Epicurus are one of the few surviving documents. This surviving original text is presented here.

Epicurus was an ancient Greek philosopher as well as the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism. Only a small selection of his written work survived to present day. Surviving texts include The Principle Doctrines and his letters.