"Epicurus at Leontium" - Ludwig Gottlieb Portman, c. 1802-1803


    A Dutch illustrator. The caption reads:

    ; maar ontdek er de Spooren van het geluk niet - Epicurus


    ; but do not discover the Traces of Happiness. - Epicurus


    I have a Dutch friend, perhaps he is willing to provide a better translation.

    “If the joys found in nature are crimes, then man’s pleasure and happiness is to be criminal.”

    Presuming that is not part of a book or larger context, the inscription almost looks as if it was intended to be a quotation, but the translation doesn't really make much sense. Maybe" traces" is "limits" (?) but the "do not discover" doesn't seem appropriate.

    I did some digging on this piece today since I figured I'd upload it to the gallery. It's from a Dutch Almanac from 1803. "Almanak, van vernuft en smaak, voor het jaar MDCCCIII" (Almanac, of ingenuity and taste 1803 Volume 1). While reading through it, I discovered an 8.5 page long section titled "Epicurus bij Leontion" which is just the same as the illustration. Since I cannot read Dutch I don't know what the text says, however it appears to be a casual reading of the subject of the philosophy. Once I get a translation down from my Dutch friends I'll post it here.

    “If the joys found in nature are crimes, then man’s pleasure and happiness is to be criminal.”

Unread Threads

    1. Title
    2. Replies
    3. Last Reply

    2. what did epicurean actually mean by free will ? i think the article on the main page is confusing determinism with fatalism 8

      • UnPaid_Landlord
      • December 22, 2024 at 2:24 AM
    3. Replies
      8
      Views
      646
      8

    4. Root304

      December 22, 2024 at 2:24 AM

    2. Epicureanism and Scientific Debates Epicurean Tradition and its Ancient Reception - New (2023) Collection of Commentaries 7

      • Matteng
      • December 17, 2024 at 2:19 PM
    3. Replies
      7
      Views
      996
      7

    4. Don

      December 17, 2024 at 2:19 PM

    2. How Would Epicurus Analyze The Slogan "Live Free Or Die" As An Ethical Guide? 7

      • Cassius
      • December 9, 2024 at 2:57 PM
    3. Replies
      7
      Views
      809
      7

    4. Root304

      December 9, 2024 at 2:57 PM

    2. Video Games For Mental Focus and Relaxation 2

      • Cassius
      • December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM
    3. Replies
      2
      Views
      969
      2

    4. Root304

      December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM

    2. Discussion of New Substack Article: "A Gate To Be Burst: Absence of Pain" 29

      • Cassius
      • December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM
    3. Replies
      29
      Views
      4.8k
      29

    4. Bryan

      December 9, 2024 at 12:11 AM