Based on the Greek philosopher Epicurus, the term Epicurean has come to mean someone devoted to sensual pleasures, especially to good food and wine. However, a good look at what Epicurus actually taught gives an altogether different picture to the caricature of wanton hedonism.

Epicurus divided our desires into 3 categories.

What is necessary and natural:

Friendship (true friendship, not fair-weather friends who suck your life-force before moving on to another prey);

Freedom (freedom may well be in the mind, but if you're having homicidal feelings towards your colleagues or boss then chances are you're in the wrong place);

Thinking (this is the freedom and security of not just ruminating over life's problems on your own, but sharing them openly with true friends);

Food, clothing and shelter are so basic as not to really need a category, as without them we'd be dead, but are included here for completeness.

What is unnecessary and natural:

Luxuries (the sports car, the jet, the extravagant meal and the exotic holiday, the games console because you have no friends, that third bottle of wine, and so on).

What is unnecessary and unnatural:
Fame (that fickle toxin that turns mediocre actors into rehab patrons);
Power (that desire to stand on the shoulders of your fellows to make sure they can't see the spectacle).

I can already picture readers salivating over categories 2 and 3! But the point Epicurus made, and the advice he and his followers adhered to, was that true happiness lies in category 1. If your aims and ambitions are blinded by money and power you are still likely to end up a wealthy, powerful, miserable git. Categories 2 and 3 may add to your well-being only if the items in category 1 are being satisfied.

So why do so many people think that chasing these mirages will make them happy?