Happiness
Epicurus was on to something when he said that happiness was extremely difficult to achieve.
He said that material possessions won’t make us happy for long.
The standard belief is that pleasure is the absence of pain and the presence of good feelings. But Epicurus pointed out that all pleasures are ephemeral. Our lives are full of cravings. We buy something, achieve something, gain promotion, eat something, drink something, have sex and it makes us feel good. We imagine that if we only had those things, that life, those looks, we would be happy. But that sensation of feeling good rapidly goes and we need another fix. Not only that but we need something bigger and better to create the same level of thrill. Each new experience is not as pleasurable as the previous. We have to up the ante. Too much of the nicest thing eventually becomes boring. We have to keep doing something more just to get the same level of buzz.
Ultimately the pursuit of pleasure leaves us miserable.
We can go out on mad drink and drug sprees, indulge in orgies, earn fortunes, purchase yachts and penthouses, have cosmetic surgery, buy the most expensive jewelry and clothes and end up depressed.
There is more pleasure and happiness to be found in friendship, love and creativity than can ever be bought or possessed.
