Eric goes on to say about Epicurus’s view that,

Another consequence of valuing one's happiness and tranquility so highly is that a person will be very motivated to lead a peaceful life complimented with many good friends and as few enemies as possible. After all, fighting brings pain instead of pleasure. Worrying about enemies causes stress while the company of good friends brings considerable pleasure.  Cultivating good friends, of course, requires that a person be honest, compassionate, and empathetic. 

On this view, Epicurus’s hedonism is a sophisticated moral theory.  In requiring a life of simplicity and nonviolence where extinguishing one's desires was a virtue, hedonism is similar to other important philosophies.  These core values are strikingly similar to those modeled by Jesus and The Buddha and the religious systems founded on their lives.