“In other passions fear of being overcome brings them back continually; but in wisdom, once acquired, the victory is never lost.”Epicur · Maximele fundamentale · -280 · Maxima 28
Living wins demand endless defense; wisdom, once gained, can never be lost.
Bodily pleasures, status, and wealth are fragile victories: the fear of losing them forces us to fight again and again, so peace never arrives. Wisdom works differently because it depends on nothing outside us. Someone who truly grasps that happiness comes from modest needs and friends can no longer be shaken by a financial loss or a blow to their reputation.
Why it matters Useful for anyone who has achieved something yet lives in fear of losing it: it nudges you to invest in knowledge and judgment, the only gains that never need defending.