Epicurus

The ancient Greek philosopher wanted to know how to be happy. He started a school for happiness called The Garden.

He believed people make three mistakes when thinking about happiness:

1. We need romantic relationships – never put too much faith in relationships, friendships are more rewarding
2. We need lots of money – the desire for money and prestige brings jealousy, backbiting. Working is satisfying when there is a sense of fulfilment though our labour
3. Too much faith in luxury – what we really want is calm.

Three major changes Epicurus made in his life:

1. He decided to live together with his friends and founded a commune
2. Every in the commune stopped working for other people. They had less money but bigger satisfaction
3. He and his friends spent periods of every day finding calm