Epicurean Living

Epicureans showed little interest in participating in the politics of the day, since doing so leads to trouble. They instead advocated seclusion. Their garden can be compared with present-day communes. This principle is epitomised by the phrase lathe biōsas λάθε βιώσας (Plutarchus De latenter vivendo c. 1128; Flavius Philostratus Vita Apollonii 8.28.12), meaning ‘live secretly’, ‘get through life without drawing attention to yourself’, i. e. live without pursuing glory or wealth or power, but anonymously, enjoying little things like food, the company of friends, etc.