If you think Epicureanism means extravagant self-indulgence, think again. [First-century Roman philosopher] Lucretius was a follower of the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus, who did indeed argue that pleasure is a sign of the good. But Epicurus also wrote, "we do not mean the pleasures of the prodigal or the pleasures of sensuality."

... Above all, Epicurus and his followers conceived of an ethos that required no supernatural enforcer threatening to condemn the wicked to eternal torment. The Epicurean good life is a good life in both respects -- enjoyable because it is moral, prudent and honorable. It is also a life devoted to celebrating this world, not the next.