Single Idea 14060

[catalogued under 23. Ethics / C. Virtue Theory / 1. Virtue Theory / b. Basis of virtue]

Full Idea

Prudence is the principle of the rational life and is the greatest good. That is why prudence is more valuable than philosophy, for prudence is the source of all the other virtues.

Gist of Idea

Prudence is the greatest good, and more valuable than philosophy, because it produces virtue

Source

Epicurus (Letter to Menoeceus [c.291 BCE], 132)

Book Reference

Epicurus: 'The Epicurus Reader', ed/tr. Inwood,B. /Gerson,L. [Hackett 1994], p.31


A Reaction

['prudence' will be Greek 'phronesis']The interest of this is that it is almost copied straight out of Aristotle's Ethics. Epicurus was an opponent of the Peripatetics, but greatly influenced by them.

Related Ideas

Idea 80 Virtue ensures that we have correct aims, and prudence that we have correct means of achieving them [Aristotle]

Idea 82 The one virtue of prudence carries with it the possession of all the other virtues [Aristotle]