Epicurus' ethics center on pleasure as the highest good, but he advocates moderation and discipline, not indulgence. He contrasts with Cyrenaics by valuing past and future pleasures, as shown by his deathbed letter finding happiness in memories. The goal is ataraxia, or tranquility, achieved by forgoing immediate pleasures like overeating or politics to avoid future pain. Epicurus argues that politics causes anxiety and should be avoided in favor of natural, easily obtainable pleasures like bread and water, which can be as intense as any others. He advocates training oneself to be content with moderation, not debauchery, and counters Plato's critique by claiming pleasure and pain cannot coexist. Epicurus argues that the absence of pain is itself the greatest pleasure, distinguishing between kinetic pleasures (like eating) and static pleasures (pain-free states). He equates pleasure with ataraxia, advocating a moderate life to minimize pain and maximize static pleasure. Epicurus further claims that the absence of pain is a state of bliss, not neutrality, and that kinetic pleasures add variety but don't increase happiness. Friendship is crucial for Epicurean happiness, providing both pleasure and security against future pain. Epicurus' view of friendship as mutually beneficial is criticized as selfish, but some see a two-level strategy where genuine friendship is necessary for personal benefit.