Against Epicurus

Even Epicurus perceives that we are by nature social, but having once placed our good in the husk¹⁶¹ he is no longer able to say anything else. For on the other hand he strongly maintains this, that we ought not to admire nor to accept any thing which is detached from the nature of good; and he is right in maintaining this. How then are we [suspicious],¹⁶² if we have no natural affection to our children? Why do you advise the wise man not to bring up children? Why are you afraid that he may thus fall into trouble? For does he fall into trouble on account of the mouse which is nurtured in the house? What does he care if a little mouse in the house makes lamentation to him? But Epicurus knows that if once a child is born, it is no longer in our power not to love it nor care about it. For this reason, Epicurus says, that a man who has any sense also does not engage in political matters; for he knows what a man must do who is engaged in such things; for indeed, if you intend to behave among men as you would among a swarm of flies, what hinders you? But Epicurus, who knows this, ventures to say that we should not bring up children. But a sheep does not desert its own offspring, nor yet a wolf; and shall a man desert his child? What do you mean? that we should be as silly as sheep? but not even do they desert their offspring: or as savage as wolves, but not even do wolves desert their young. Well, who would follow your advice, if he saw his child weeping after falling on the ground? For my part I think that even if your mother and your father had been told by an oracle, that you would say what you have said, they would not have cast you away.

Even Epicurus recognizes that we are social by nature. But once he has placed our good in the husk¹⁶¹, he can no longer say anything else. At the same time, he strongly insists that we should neither admire nor accept anything unrelated to the nature of good. And he is right about that. But how can we be [suspicious],¹⁶² if we have no natural affection for our children? Why do you advise a wise man not to raise children? Why are you afraid that he might get into trouble by doing so? Does he get into trouble over a mouse raised in his house? What does he care if a little mouse in the house cries to him? But Epicurus knows that once a child is born, we cannot help loving and caring for it. For the same reason, Epicurus says that a sensible man does not take part in politics. He knows what a man involved in politics must do. Of course, if you intend to behave among people as you would among a swarm of flies, what stops you? But Epicurus knows this, yet he dares to say that we should not raise children. A sheep does not abandon its own offspring, and neither does a wolf. So should a man abandon his child? What do you mean? Should we be as foolish as sheep? But even sheep do not abandon their offspring. Or should we be as savage as wolves? But even wolves do not abandon their young. Who would follow your advice if he saw his child crying after falling to the ground? For my part, I think that even an oracle could not have persuaded your mother and father to abandon you. They would not have done it even if it had told them you would say what you have said.