“Every pleasure is a good in itself, but not every pleasure is to be chosen; likewise every pain is an evil, but not every pain is always to be avoided.”Epicur · Maximele fundamentale · -280 · Maxima 6
Not every pleasure is worth choosing and not every pain worth refusing: the criterion is the long-term balance.
Epicurus does not preach blind hedonism. Every pleasure is good in its moment, but some bring pains that outweigh the initial satisfaction, while some brief pains buy lasting peace of mind. The measure is not how intense an experience feels but the balance it strikes across a whole life. Someone skipping a late-night party for a good night's sleep makes exactly this calculation, trading a small pleasure to avoid exhaustion that would ruin the next day.
Why it matters It helps anyone weighing momentary satisfaction against consequences, from impulse purchases to one drink too many. It offers a simple criterion, not a rigid rule.