Misfortune seldom intrudes upon the wise man; his greatest and highest interests are directed by reason throughout the course of life.

Much of what is known about Epicurean philosophy derives from later followers and commentators. Only a few fragments and letters of Epicurus's 300 written works remain. Epicurus (Greek: Ἐπίκουρος Epikouros "ally comrade"; 341 BCE – 270 BCE) was an ancient Greek philosopher as well as the founder of the school of philosophy called Epicureanism.