Such a mental condition, which he thought it was in every man's power to acquire by appropriate teaching and companionship, constituted virtue; and was the sure as well as the only precursor of genuine happiness.

A mind thus undisturbed and purified was sufficient to itself.

The mere satisfaction of the wants of life, and the conversation of friends, became then felt pleasures; if more could be had without preponderant mischief, so much the better; but Nature, disburthened of her corruptions and prejudices, required no more to be happy.

This at least was as much as the conditions of humanity admitted: a tranquil, undisturbed, innocuous, non-competitive fruition, which approached most nearly to the perfect happiness of the Gods.[17] The Epicurean theory of virtue is the type of all those that make an enlightened self-interest the basis of right and wrong.

The four cardinal virtues were explained from the Epicurean point of view.
_Prudence_ was the supreme rule of conduct.