Term used in a popular sense to signify a refined selfishness which seeks the pleasures of the senses, particularly of the palate. More correctly it designates the materialistic philosophical system of, Epicurus of Samoa (341-270 B.C.), which taught that personal happiness was the highest good, or the end of life, and that the virtues were the means to this end.
This dictionary contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions. It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.Wikipedia
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