The Classification of Desires
Some hungers are written into our nature; others are illusions we inherit. Sort them rightly, Epicurus taught, and serenity follows.
Epicurus argued that not all desires are equal, and that learning to tell them apart is the key to a tranquil life. He divided them into three kinds: natural and necessary (like food, shelter, and friendship), natural but unnecessary (like rich feasts or luxury), and empty or vain (like fame, power, and limitless wealth). Because the necessary desires are few and easy to satisfy, while the empty ones are insatiable, the wise person trims away false wants and finds contentment within easy reach.
How it traveled
- RepublicAthens · -375explains
- Vitae philosophorum— · 240explains
- Duties of the HeartZaragoza (Saragossa) · 1080synthesis
Key passages(20)
Vitae philosophorum · Diogenes Laertius
Bruta animalia ratione uti · Plutarch
Duties of the Heart · Bachya ben Yosef ibn Pakuda (Chovot HaLevavot) · 1080 CE
וְהַכַּת הַשְּׁנִיָּה אֲנָשִׁים שֶׁהָלְכוּ בְּדֶרֶךְ הַגֶּדֶר הַבֵּינוֹנִי שֶׁבַּפְּרִישׁוּת וּמָאֲסוּ מוֹתְרֵי הָעוֹלָם לְגַמְרֵי וְסָבְלוּ לַחְסֹם תַּאֲוָתָם מֵהֶם.
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Duties of the Heart · Bachya ben Yosef ibn Pakuda (Chovot HaLevavot) · 1080 CE
וְאַחַר כָּךְ יִבְרֹר לוֹ מִגִּשְׁמֵי הָעוֹלָם מָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ הֲנָאַת גּוּפוֹ וְתִקּוּן עִנְיָנוֹ בָּעוֹלָם כְּפִי הַצֹּרֶךְ וְהַסִּפּוּק בִּלְבַד וְיַעֲזוֹב שְׁאָר מוֹתְרֵי הָעוֹלָם וּמַשְׂכִּיּוֹ
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Duties of the Heart · Bachya ben Yosef ibn Pakuda (Chovot HaLevavot) · 1080 CE
אָמַר הַשֵּׂכֶל כֹּחוֹת הַמִּדָּה הָרִאשׁוֹנָה הֵן מוֹתְרֵי הַמַּאֲכָל וְהַמִּשְׁתֶּה וְהַלְּבוּשׁ וְהַתְּנוּמָה וְהַמְּנוּחָה וְהַשַּׁלְוָה וְהַדּוֹמֶה לָהֶן אֲבָל כֹּחוֹת הַמִּדָּה הַשֵּׁנִית הֵם מו
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Deipnosophistae · Athenaeus of Naucratis
Deipnosophistae · Athenaeus of Naucratis
Vitae philosophorum · Diogenes Laertius
Vitae philosophorum · Diogenes Laertius
De Migratione Abrahami · Philo Judaeus
De Specialibus Legibus (lib. i‑iv) · Philo Judaeus