How did Epicureanism differ from Stoicism in its view of the best way to live?

In the context of Hellenistic philosophy, Epicureanism and Stoicism offered distinct approaches to the "good life," though both aimed to provide a sense of security in a troubled world.1

Core Differences in Ethics

• The Goal of Life: For Epicureanism, the supreme good is pleasure, defined specifically as the absence of pain from the body and soul. In contrast, Stoicism rejects pleasure and pain as irrelevant to happiness, asserting that the only true good is living in a state of wisdom and virtue.231
• Public vs. Private Life: Stoics often acted as advisors to kings and statesmen, believing in a universal moral law and the duty of rational beings to participate in the community. Epicureans, however, advocated for a withdrawn life, warning against public involvement and preferring the intimate, private sphere of a "garden" centered on friendship.312
• View of the Divine: Stoics believed in divine providence and a world governed by reason. Epicurus taught that the gods are beatified, immortal beings who are entirely indifferent to human affairs.231

Despite these differences, both schools ultimately encouraged temperance and self-control, leading practitioners toward similar outcomes of inner peace and resilience against the "play of fortune".231