19. But as to that Epicurus himself, the
defender of pleasure, of whom, therefore, we have made frequent mention
in order to prove that these men are either disciples of the heathen
and followers of the Epicurean sect or himself, whom the very
philosophers exclude from their company as the patron of luxury, what
if we prove him to be more tolerable than these men? He declares,
as Demarchus Demarchus is
mentioned by no writer besides St. Ambrose. The Benedictine
editors suggest that Hermachus is meant, who succeeded Epicurus as
leader of his school. asserts, that
neither drinking, nor banquets, nor offspring, nor embraces of women,
nor abundance of fish, and other such like things which are prepared
for the service of a sumptuous banquet, make life sweet, but sober
discussion. Lastly, he added that those who do not use the
banquets of society in excess, use them with moderation. He who
willingly makes use of the juices of plants alone together with bread
and water, despises feasts on delicacies, for many inconveniences arise
from them. In another place they also say: It is not
excessive banquets, nor drinking which give rise to the enjoyment of
pleasure, but a life of temperance.