Was Epicurus a hedonist seeking constant indulgence?
This is a common misunderstanding. While I affirmed pleasure as the highest good, my definition of pleasure was quite different from what many assume. It is not about active, sensual pleasures, which often lead to more pain in the long run. Instead, the greatest pleasure is the absence of pain, both in the body and in the soul. A simple life, with few desires and freedom from disturbance, is the path to this enduring, tranquil joy.