The foolβs life is empty of gratitude and full of fears; its course lies wholly toward the future.
EpicurusRead
I was not, I was, I am not, I care not. (Non fui, fui, non sum, non curo)
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on existence and indifference to life's concerns.
Epicurus' quote explores the transient nature of existence and suggests a detachment from worldly worries. The phrase 'I was not, I was, I am not, I care not' indicates an understanding of lifeβs impermanence and the idea that caring too much about life's ephemeral nature may lead to distress. It invites contemplation on what truly matters in life and encourages a peaceful acceptance of existence.
Themes
ExistenceIndifferenceImpermanencePhilosophyAcceptance
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy class discussing existentialism.
More from Epicurus
All quotes βAccustom yourself to believe that death is nothing to us, for good and evil imply awareness, and death is the privation of all awareness; therefore a right understanding that death is nothing to us makes the mortality of life enjoyable, not by adding to life an unlimited time, but by taking away the yearning after immortality. For life has no terror; for those who thoroughly apprehend that there are no terrors for them in ceasing to live.
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The wise man who has become accustomed to necessities knows better how to share with others than how to take from them, so great a treasure of self-sufficiency has he found.
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We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink.
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Of all the means to insure happiness throughout the whole life, by far the most important is the acquisition of friends.
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Haec ego non multis (scribo), sed tibi: satis enim magnum alter alteri theatrum sumus. I am writing this not to many, but to you: certainly we are a great enough audience for each other.
EpicurusRead
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