Why philosophy? Philosophy opens horizons. Socrates stung us like a horsefly to wake us up, Plato brought us out of the cave, Aristotle guided us through nature, Epicurus welcomed us into the Garden, the Stoics expanded our homeland and made the world, the universe. The entire philosophical tradition from Socrates to Epicurus and the Stoics not only offers solutions to our problems but teaches us how to live with them.

From then until today, Ethics is called to confront the "problem" of living well, one of the most essential for humanity. Philosophers of all schools have been consistent in their teachings and have lived happily. So can we. By knowing the philosophy of those who "lived well," so that we can "live better" ourselves.

PRE-SOCRATICS – PLATO – SOCRATES – ARISTOTLE – CYNICS – EPICUREANISM – STOICISM

ANAXAGORAS: When someone asked him, "Do you not care at all for your country?", he replied, "Be quiet," he said, "for I care excessively for my country," and pointed to the sky.

PLATO: All wars are fought for the acquisition of money; we are forced to acquire money for the body, as we serve it like slaves.

ARISTOTLE: It seems that we do not love everything, but that which deserves our love, and that is either the good, the pleasant, or the useful.

EPICURUS: We are born once and cannot be born again, nor will we exist again forever. Yet you, while having no power over tomorrow, postpone joy. And life is lost in postponements, and each of us dies busy.

DEMONAX OF CYPRUS: The only happy person is the free one. […] He who hopes for nothing and fears nothing.

SENECA: Those who forget the past neglect the present and fear the future will have a very short and troubled life.

MARCUS AURELIUS: All that is of the body is like a river, while that of the soul is a dream and an illusion; life is war and a journey in a foreign land, and reputation is forgetfulness. What can support you? Only one thing: philosophy.