Editing Epicureanism (section)

===Principal doctrines===
{{Main|Principal Doctrines}}
The Principal Doctrines are forty authoritative conclusions set up as official doctrines by Epicurus, [[Metrodorus of Lampsacus (the younger)|Metrodorus of Lampsacus]], [[Hermarchus]] of Mitilene and [[Polyaenus of Lampsacus]].  The Principal Doctrines exemplify the Epicurean philosophers' practice of publishing summaries and outlines of their teachings for easy memorization. However, they are so concise and short that it's difficult to understand them in depth without the context of additional commentaries and writings by ancient sources or by modern Epicurean practitioners, whenever possible. They are often cited as "PDs" in English.

Some of the Principal Doctrines are organized into groups and are meant to be studied together. The first four doctrines make up the Tetrapharmakos (Four Cures). PD's 10-13 discuss the Epicurean philosophy of science. PD's 18-21 explain the natural limits of desires and in time, and how the flesh is unable to learn these limits but the mind can. PD's 22-25 deal with the importance of the canon, or the Epicurean standard of truth. PD's 31-38 explain the Epicurean doctrines on justice based on mutual advantage and contractarianism.<ref>[http://www.johnjthrasher.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Reconciling-Justice-and-Pleasure-in-Epicurean-Contractarianism.pdf Reconciling Justice and Pleasure in Epicurean Contractarianism] johnjthrasher.com October 2012</ref> PD's 39-40 call for an intimate society of friends.

====Tetrapharmakos====
[[File:Tetrapharmakos PHerc 1005 col 5.png|thumb|Part of Herculaneum Papyrus 1005 (P.Herc.1005), col. 5. Contains Epicurean tetrapharmakos from Philodemus' Adversus Sophistas.]]
Tetrapharmakos, or "The four-part cure", is [[Philodemus of Gadara]]'s basic guideline as to how to live the happiest possible life, based on the first four of the doctrines. This poetic doctrine was handed down by an anonymous Epicurean who summed up Epicurus' philosophy on happiness in four simple lines:

{{blockquote|Don't fear god,<br />Don't worry about death;<br />What is good is easy to get, and<br />What is terrible is easy to endure.|[[Philodemus]]|[[Herculaneum]] Papyrus, 1005, 4.9–14}}