Articles

7 Life Lessons from Epicurus (Epicureanism) — Real Wisdom, No Filters

1. Pleasure is the Beginning and the End of a Happy Life

Let’s clear the air: Epicurus wasn’t preaching indulgence in luxury or hedonism gone wild. His pleasure was refined—calm, sustainable. It’s about peace of mind, not chasing dopamine hits. He knew pleasure is the foundation of happiness, but it’s the right kind of pleasure—mental tranquility (ataraxia) over fleeting thrills.

Key lesson: Seek the pleasures that free you, not enslave you.

2. Freedom from Fear = True Liberation

Epicurus said most suffering isn’t real—it’s imagined. Fear of death. Fear of gods. Fear of loss. These keep us trapped. But once you realize death is just non-existence and the gods aren’t meddling in your business? Boom—mental chains fall off.

Let go of cosmic anxieties. You don’t need divine permission to live well.

3. Not All Desires Deserve to Be Fulfilled

Epicurus categorized desires—natural & necessary (like food, shelter), natural but unnecessary (like luxury food), and vain/empty (fame, power). The goal? Strip life down to what actually matters. If a desire creates more anxiety than peace, ditch it.

Learn the art of saying “no” to what doesn’t serve your peace.

4. Friendship > Romance, Wealth, Status

Epicurus didn’t just tolerate friendships—he revered them. He considered them a top-tier pleasure. Why? Because a good friend is a fortress, a mirror, and a safe harbor in life’s storms. You don’t own a friend. You trust them.

A shared laugh at midnight beats a lonely throne.

5. Live Modestly, Think Richly

He lived in a garden with simple food and deep thoughts. Epicurus knew that excess often brings chaos. The good life is about balance—not deprivation, not indulgence. Minimal needs, maximal clarity.

Simplicity is strength. Complexity breeds craving.

6. Philosophy is a Daily Practice, Not a Theoretical Escape

For Epicurus, philosophy wasn’t a lecture—it was a lifestyle. If your philosophy can’t help you sleep better, choose wisely, or find peace, then what good is it? His school wasn’t ivory tower—it was a sanctuary for practical wisdom.

Philosophy is for your real life, not just your bookshelf.

7. You Own Your Time—Spend It Like Gold

Epicurus treasured time like a rare wine. Don’t waste it on drama, shallow pursuits, or chasing approval. Life is short, but that’s not a curse—it’s a call to prioritize. Focus on what feels right, not what looks good.

Invest your time like a philosopher, not a consumer.

Final Word?

Epicureanism is not about escaping life—it’s about mastering it with clarity, calm, and a whole lot of wisdom. It’s the quiet power of knowing what matters—and having the courage to let go of everything else.

Want peace? Get precise. Want joy? Get disciplined.

Epicurus didn’t whisper the truth. He lived it. Your turn.

15 Lessons from the book titled: Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew Wilkinson

The author chronicles his journey from working at a coffee shop to becoming a successful entrepreneur and billionaire. The book highlights key lessons learned along the way about business, personal growth, and wealth creation. Here are some key lessons from the book:

1. Start Small, Think Big

Wilkinson started his entrepreneurial journey with small ventures. He emphasizes the importance of starting with what you have, but always keeping your larger ambitions in mind.

2. Take Calculated Risks

Building a business often requires risk-taking, but Wilkinson underscores the importance of calculating and understanding those risks before diving in.

3. Learn to Delegate

As his businesses grew, Wilkinson realized the importance of delegating tasks to others. Effective delegation allows you to focus on big-picture thinking while others handle operational details.

4. Pursue Multiple Revenue Streams

Wilkinson’s success came not from a single business, but from owning and investing in several companies across different industries. Diversifying your income sources can increase financial stability.

5. Work Smarter, Not Harder

Hard work is essential, but smart work is what leads to exponential growth. Wilkinson stresses the importance of optimizing processes and focusing on high-impact activities.

6. The Power of Compounding in Business

Just as compounding grows wealth, the cumulative effect of small, consistent improvements in business can lead to massive long-term success.

7. Be Persistent Through Failure

Failure is inevitable in entrepreneurship. Wilkinson faced multiple setbacks but continued to push forward, learning from each mistake and growing stronger.

8. Focus on What You Enjoy

Wilkinson encourages people to pursue businesses or careers in areas that genuinely interest them. Passion helps you stay motivated, even when things get tough.

9. Invest in People, Not Just Ideas

The people you surround yourself with are critical to your success. Wilkinson believes in hiring talented individuals and building strong teams to execute business ideas effectively.

10. Wealth Doesn't Equal Fulfillment

Even after achieving financial success, Wilkinson reflects on the fact that true happiness comes from more than money. He encourages readers to seek purpose and fulfillment beyond just accumulating wealth.

"Never Enough" is both an entrepreneurial playbook and a personal reflection on the journey to success. Wilkinson’s story teaches the importance of risk-taking, persistence, building great teams, and, ultimately, understanding that wealth alone isn’t everything.

Plato did not believe reality was created by the individual human mind.

His philosophy said:

1. The physical world is an illusion or imperfect shadow of a deeper, eternal realm of Forms (or Ideas).
2. The mind (psyche) does not create reality — it remembers and seeks the truth of Forms that already exist.

He saw the philosopher’s job as escaping illusion, not bending reality to personal mindset like some self-help guru.