How did Stoics and Epicureans agree about temperance and justice?

While Stoicism and Epicureanism are fundamentally opposed in their ethical foundations—with Stoics prioritizing duty and Epicureans prioritizing pleasure as the absence of pain—they arrive at similar practical outcomes regarding temperance and justice.1

Both schools advocate for a life that avoids the excesses of human nature, which lead to anxiety and disquietude. For the Epicurean, temperance is a necessary practice because the highest pleasure is found in tranquility, which requires eliminating unnecessary desires that could lead to pain. Similarly, the Stoic practices temperance to live in accordance with nature and reason, avoiding deviations from duty.213

Regarding justice, the two schools reach a shared behavioral standard despite different motivations. The Stoic views justice as a moral obligation inherent in the rational order of the world. The Epicurean, conversely, views justice as an expedient social arrangement designed to prevent mutual harm; they practice it because the fear of discovery and the resulting anxiety would disrupt their tranquility. Ultimately, both philosophies demand that the individual live with the same degree of restraint and fairness.213