There are women who are not beautiful but only look that way. Karl Kraus (28 April 1874 – 12 June 1936), an Austrian journalist, satirist, essayist, aphorist, playwright and poet.

When I was young I yearned for a slim, beautiful girlfriend, without success. My mother, rather beautiful herself, told me to forget it. “Everything” she said, “goes into their looks and the upkeep of their looks, and there is often little energy left in the way of caring, fun or passion. Much better to find a clever girl with a sense of humour”.

The same thing can be said for the handsome man. He is much in demand, but you don’t marry him.

What is the relevance to Epicureanism? Happiness – or lack of it.