Epicurus and his theories on peoples pursuit of happiness

        "Don't worry; be happy." This phrase is often used as a positive bit of advice to lift one's spirits and cast troublesome worries aside. Who would want to live life constantly in stress and grief caused by ceaseless worrying? Living one's life that way would make no sense, especially when humans, according to Epicurus, seek happiness and only have this life to achieve that goal. A reflection of Epicurus' beliefs can be seen in the …

…to anxiety basis. The choice is solely the individual's, for there is no consequence to fear or divinity to govern; it is a choice of lifestyle or basically, how one wants to exist. Pleasure as the motive of human action , therefore will hopefully drive oneself to seek that which brings the pleasure and the happiness, (that being knowledge). Knowledge brings the prudence, self-sufficiency, and practical wisdom that leads one to "don't worry," but "be happy."