# Epicurus — Discourses character guide

> Epicurus in Discourses by Epictetus.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0004-i-of-the-things-which-are-in-our-power-and-not-in-our-power

## Who they are

Founder of Epicurean philosophy, often criticized by Epictetus.

## Relationships

### [Menelaus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/menelaus)

_rivalry_

Epicurus and Menelaus represent opposing philosophical schools, with Epicurus critiquing Stoic and Socratic ethics.

### [Menelaus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/menelaus)

_rivalry_

Epicurus and Menelaus represent opposing philosophical schools, with Epicurus critiquing Stoic and Socratic ethics.

### [Menelaus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/characters/menelaus)

_rivalry_

Epicurus and Menelaus represent opposing philosophical schools, with Epicurus critiquing Stoic and Socratic ethics.

## In the story

### [About Reason, How It Contemplates Itself](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xx-about-reason-how-it-contemplates-itself)

Mentioned as a hypothetical interlocutor who claims the good is in the body, prompting a refutation that the leading principle in humans is superior to the body.

### [XXIII: Against Epicurus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxiii-against-epicurus)

Quoted as advising the wise man not to bring up children or engage in politics.

### [IX: That When We Cannot Fulfil That Which the Character of a Man Promises, We Assume the Character of a Philosopher](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/ix-that-when-we-cannot-fulfil-that-which-the-character-of-a-man-promises-we-assume-the-character-of-a-philosopher)

Mentioned as a philosopher whose opinions one might explain better than he did, yet without living them.

### [XX: Against the Epicureans and Academics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xx-against-the-epicureans-and-academics)

Target of criticism for denying natural fellowship among rational beings while still writing to persuade others, thus contradicting himself.

### [On the Power of Speaking](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/discourses_se/chapters/xxiii-on-the-power-of-speaking)

Criticized for elevating the flesh above the will; Epictetus questions who wrote his philosophical works.

## Links

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