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Why was Epicurus’s ethical philosophy not materialistic in the everyday negative sense?

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Bronze bust of Epicurus with a full beard and draped clothing, displayed on a round inscribed base at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. — Materialism Epicurus, bronze bust from a Greek original, c. 280–270 bce; in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Naples.

Epicurus’s ethical philosophy is often misunderstood as "materialistic" in the negative, popular sense of being devoted to physical comfort, luxury, or self-indulgence. This interpretation is a historical error; in reality, Epicureanism is a system of ethics that emphasizes the pursuit of happiness through prudence and the reduction of pain.12

Epicurus defined the supreme good not as physical excess, but as the absence of pain in the body and trouble in the mind—a state of tranquility known as ataraxia. Rather than encouraging the pursuit of fleeting sensory pleasures, which often lead to greater pain, his philosophy advocates for:345

Rational Limitation: Using reason to choose and limit desires, prioritizing long-term well-being over immediate gratification.24
Asceticism: Reducing needs to a minimum and living a withdrawn, quiet life to avoid the anxieties of worldly competition.364
Friendship: Valuing friendship as a profound source of joy that transcends mere utility.34

Ultimately, Epicurus taught that the wise person finds contentment by conquering the fear of death and the gods, proving that his "hedonism" was a disciplined, philosophical approach to life rather than a pursuit of material indulgence.64