"…the truth was that Atticus, because of his philosophy, had made it a principle never to fall out with anyone. He was a devoted follower of the teachings of Epicurus – "that pleasure is the beginning and end of living happily" – although I hasten to add that he was an Epicurean not in the commonly misunderstood sense, as a seeker after luxury, but in the true meaning, as a pursuer of what the Greeks call ataraxia, or freedom from disturbance.  He consequently avoided arguments and unpleasantness of any kind (needless to say, he was unmarried) and desired only to contemplate philosophy by day and dine by night with his cultured friends.  He believed that all mankind should have similar aims, and was baffled when they did not…..he never for a moment contemplated undertaking anything as upsetting or dangerous as a political career, yet at the same time, as an insurance against future mishap, he had taken pains to cultivate every aristocrat who passed through Athens… there can never have been anyone quite so worldly in their pursuit of unworldliness as Titus Pomponius Atticus."

from the absolutely excellent book, "Imperium" by Robert Harris  (page 400 in the British paperback version).

Highly recommended for anyone who is interested in Roman history, good writing and an exciting read