How did Stoicism and Epicureanism address the question of how people ought to live?

In ancient philosophy, both Stoicism and Epicureanism sought to define how one ought to live to achieve a good life, or eudaimonia (human flourishing).12

The Stoic Approach

Stoicism emphasizes that the only true good is living in a state of wisdom and virtue. Stoics believe that all humans share a capacity for reason, which serves as the basis for a universal moral law. To live well, one must identify with reason rather than physical desires or passions, which Stoics reject as reliable guides for conduct. By focusing on what is under their control—their own intellect and character—Stoics remain protected from the unpredictable "play of fortune" that affects those who pursue material wealth or physical pleasure.1

The Epicurean Approach

Epicureanism identifies the supreme good as the absence of pain from the body and the soul. While often misunderstood as mere hedonism, the philosophy advocates for a quiet, withdrawn life characterized by the limitation of desires and the practice of virtue, which is inseparable from pleasure. Epicureans prioritize friendship as the highest expression of utility, viewing their community as a "garden" governed by the law of friendship rather than the universal reason of the Stoic city.34

Despite their differing foundations—one based on duty and reason, the other on pleasure and utility—both schools ultimately advocate for a life of temperance and justice.3