Bruce J. MacLennan

“Epicurus said that the gods exist, but that they are made of atoms like everything else. Since the gods are immortal, they have no needs, and so they have no desires, and therefore they are suffering no pain from unmet needs and desires. As a consequence, they are in a perfect state of tranquility, which is the utmost pleasure according to those of the Garden. We do not have to accept Epicurus’s claim that the gods are made of atoms in order to agree with his conclusion. If we accept the Epicurean ideal that the height of wisdom, goodness, and blessedness is tranquility, then it follows that the gods (or God) will not be subject to the weaknesses of anger and jealousy, nor be swayed by flattery, nor, for example, be offended, all of which are traits of imperfect mortals. Therefore we have nothing to fear from the gods. This argument is summarized in the following slogan: That which is blissful and immortal has no troubles itself,
nor does it cause trouble for others,
so that it is not affected by anger or gratitude
for all such things come about through weakness.47”
― Bruce J. MacLennan, The Wisdom of Hypatia: Ancient Spiritual Practices for a More Meaningful Life