Stoics and Saints - College of Stoic Philosophers

"
16 LATER GREEK PHILOSOPHY.
name of Philosopher. Epicurus even did not say nothing can
be known, he believed that something could be known ;
a
miserable something, we feel, but still he believed it to be
truth, and on it
he grounded his system
and his life.
One cannot help finding considerable charm in what is
known of Epicurus and his company. It is little enough ;
but
it differs generically from what we know of the other philo
sophers. Epicurus, it will be remembered, is the only
the old heathen teachers who gave his name to his Sect.
one of
They
were always known as Epicureans. It is not without meaning
that we speak of Epicurus and his company. He gathered a
body of friends around him, with whom he lived in the closest
fellowship and who regarded
him with reverential love. In
the Garden where they met were gathered what in outward
aspect looked more like a company
of Christian Coenobites
in the early monastic days, than anything which we meet
with in Greek society. Epicurus must have been a man of
singular charm of manner, and
singular moderation of temper
His disciples loved him with a perfect affection, and it is said
that they had pictures of Epicurus in their rooms and their
bed chambers, and even on their rings and their plate. One
fell down at his feet, and did him reverence. Even to
Lucretius, a man of the loftiest genius, his master Epicurus
seems a grander and more beneficial being than any
of the
gods whom his countrymen held in reverence. The personal
devotion of the disciples to the master was conspicuous and
beautiful ;
we find nothing parallel to it in the history of the
Stoic School. When the stranger/ writes Seneca himself
an ardent Stoic, though -he always does justice to Epicurus
comes to the garden on which the words are inscribed,
Friend, here it will be well for thee to abide, for here pleasure
is the highest good,"
he will find the keeper of that garden a
kindly hospitable man, who will set before him a dish of