These are the diseases of the soul that Epicurus sought to cure:

1. Fear of oblivion results in a desire for immortality. But what you should do is face death without fear and enjoy the life you have.

2. Fear of weakness leads to a desire for power. But the ideal is not to lord it over others but to be strong enough to cater to your own basic needs and those of your family.

3. Fear of poverty leads to greed and desire for wealth. But what you should desire is not to be rich but to have enough food, clothing, shelter and companionship to live without envy.

4. Fear of obscurity leads to desire for fame. But fame is nothing. What you need is both self-respect and the respect of your friends.

5. Fear of being bored or perceived as ordinary and dull leads to a frantic effort to have fancy clothes, belongings, adventures and endless stimulation. What you really need is active friendships and a sense of humour.

6. Fear of inferiority leads to envy, anger, greed and the desire for power, honour, fame and incessant gossiping and denigration of others. What you should be doing is accepting and improving yourself.

7. Fear of disappointment leads to anger and dissatisfaction with the world, whereas you should try to accept people as they are (unreliable, incompetent and lazy!)and maintain in inner serenity.

8. Fear of failure leads either to a frenetic life full of fear or to taking short cuts and wanting something for nothing. What you need is an active confidence in your own ability and to pursue self- improvement. There will always be someone luckier or smarter than you. Just don’t worry about it

(Adapted from “Letters on Epicurus: A Dialogue about Happiness” Peter st. Andre
Https://stpeter.im/ writings/ Epicurus/