Epicurus is often remembered as a philosopher of indulgence, but the life he advocated was surprisingly modest.

In this episode of Monday Mornings with Peace, we follow Epicurus from his childhood on Samos and the displacement of his family to the community he eventually created in the Garden of Athens. Through his life, we explore his understanding of pleasure, friendship, desire, mortality and freedom from fear.

For Epicurus, happiness was not found in accumulating more. It emerged when our natural needs were satisfied, our desires understood their limits, and the mind was no longer tormented by divine punishment, death or the judgment of strangers.

How much of what we call ambition is actually a fear of being ordinary? And if enough were already present in our lives, would we possess the wisdom to recognize it?