π‘
Epicurus also encourages us to avoid unhealthy attachment in our relationships. He says: 'Those who possess the power of securing themselves completely from their neighbours, live most happily with one another, since they have this constant assurance'.3 This is a warning against neediness, which, according to the poet Lucretius (who brought Epicurus to a later Roman audience), is the destroyer of love. Neediness sets up another futile aim: we can never get enough from people towards whom we feel needy. They may provide on one occasion, but when they fall short of our inflated expectations the next time, we worry and quickly revert to our previous insecure state. This kind of unnecessary attachment, 'unnatural' according to Epicurus's distinction, is therefore difficult to satisfy and endless in its desire.