The Tetrapharmakos, or, “The four-part cure,” is the Greek philosopher Epicurus’ remedy for leading the happiest possible life. The “tetrapharmakos” was originally a compound of four drugs (wax, tallow, pitch and resin); the word has been used metaphorically by Epicurus and his disciples to refer to the four remedies for healing the soul.

The Four-Part Cure

Don’t fear god,
Don’t worry about death;
What is good is easy to get, and
What is terrible is easy to endure

(Philodemus, Herculaneum Papyrus, 1005, 4.9-14).[2]

Painting by Patricia Ariel

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