It is hard to say, but I would probably go with:
The works of Epicurus. I have no idea what edition I read first, and probably only read important parts, like his Letter to Menoeceus and Principle Doctrines. You can read him free online:
http://www.epicurus.net
In book form, I recommend The Stoic and Epicurean Philosophers, edited by W.J. Oates, which was published by more than one company over the years:
http://smile.amazon.com/Stoic-Epicurean-...B001JZEQPU
http://smile.amazon.com/Stoic-Epicurean-...B0006D6GO0
http://smile.amazon.com/Stoic-Epicurean-...B000GSRZTK
A less good alternative would be The Epicurean Philosophers, edited by John Gaskin. And if you must have a new book, The Essential Epicurus, edited by Eugene O'Conner would be my choice, though one should read the reviews on Amazon, as a reviewer points out some errata in it.
For my second book:
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume.
Third:
An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume.
These last two can be read online for free at:
http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/hume-e...-of-morals
In book form, you can get both together:
http://smile.amazon.com/Enquiries-Concer...019824536X
That has been the standard edition for many years.
Oxford has also issued new editions of both, that I think they wish to become the new standard editions, but as I have not looked at them, I have no further comment on them.
If we were discussing the books I enjoyed reading the most, they would probably be:
Candide by Voltaire.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Miss Manners Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior by Judith Martin.
Of course, all such lists are likely to be a product not only of what was influential and liked, but also that one happens to remember at the time of compiling the list.
The works of Epicurus. I have no idea what edition I read first, and probably only read important parts, like his Letter to Menoeceus and Principle Doctrines. You can read him free online:
http://www.epicurus.net
In book form, I recommend The Stoic and Epicurean Philosophers, edited by W.J. Oates, which was published by more than one company over the years:
http://smile.amazon.com/Stoic-Epicurean-...B001JZEQPU
http://smile.amazon.com/Stoic-Epicurean-...B0006D6GO0
http://smile.amazon.com/Stoic-Epicurean-...B000GSRZTK
A less good alternative would be The Epicurean Philosophers, edited by John Gaskin. And if you must have a new book, The Essential Epicurus, edited by Eugene O'Conner would be my choice, though one should read the reviews on Amazon, as a reviewer points out some errata in it.
For my second book:
An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding by David Hume.
Third:
An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals by David Hume.
These last two can be read online for free at:
http://oll.libertyfund.org/titles/hume-e...-of-morals
In book form, you can get both together:
http://smile.amazon.com/Enquiries-Concer...019824536X
That has been the standard edition for many years.
Oxford has also issued new editions of both, that I think they wish to become the new standard editions, but as I have not looked at them, I have no further comment on them.
If we were discussing the books I enjoyed reading the most, they would probably be:
Candide by Voltaire.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
Miss Manners Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior by Judith Martin.
Of course, all such lists are likely to be a product not only of what was influential and liked, but also that one happens to remember at the time of compiling the list.
"A wise man ... proportions his belief to the evidence."
— David Hume, An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, Section X, Part I.
