Autarkeia (Self-Sufficiency)

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  • Self-sufficiency, which Epicurus calls a great good: not so that we always make do with little, but so that when we do not have much we can enjoy the little we have, since those who need luxury least enjoy it most.

    Greek αὐτάρκεια (autarkeia)

    Self-sufficiency, which Epicurus calls a great good: not so that we always make do with little, but so that when we do not have much we can enjoy the little we have, since those who need luxury least enjoy it most.

    1. Key Texts

    Quote from Epicurus, Letter to Menoeceus 130-1

    We also regard self-sufficiency as a great good, not with the aim of always living off little, but to enable us to live off little if we do not have much, in the genuine conviction that they derive the greatest pleasure from luxury who need it least, and that everything natural is easy to procure, but what is empty is hard to procure. Plain flavors produce pleasure equal to an expensive diet whenever all the pain of need has been removed; and bread and water generate the highest pleasure whenever they are taken by one who needs them. (tr. Long & Sedley, excerpt)

    2. See Also

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