The Art of Enough (The Ancient Epicurean Philosophy of Finding-and Keeping-Happiness)

A modern-day guide to the ancient philosophy of Epicureanism, celebrating a radical new mindset: We already have what we need in order to be happy

Life can be exhausting; there is forever more to do—and to strive for—than there are hours in the day. This quest for optimization has found a popular ally in Stoicism, a philosophy of self-mastery and endurance. But in a rapidly changing world, this constant and relentless hustle makes us unhappy. When all we want is more, we find that we never have quite enough.

Thousands of years ago, Epicurus argued that we need philosophy to diagnose where we went wrong and to prescribe a better way forward. And so, in a world where anxiety, loneliness, and isolation are increasingly normalized, we need more than endurance. We need a skill set that helps us thrive in the world as it is.

We need Epicureanism.

In The Art of Enough, popular philosopher Jonny Thomson weaves ancient Greek philosophy with contemporary science for dealing with the beautiful, messy realities of life. Through real-life examples and philosophical principles, Thomson shows how the core Epicurean ideals of introspection, close friendship, and commitment can teach us to enjoy the many pleasures we’re simply too anxious to see—and offers readers a clear road map to apply those pleasures to daily life.

Intelligent, warm, and timely, The Art of Enough is not a book about wanting less. It’s a book about finally appreciating what enough looks like—and discovering it was there all along.