Candide

by Voltaire

"It is demonstrable," said he, "that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for all being created for an end, all is necessarily for the best end.

Consequently they who assert that all is well have said a foolish thing, they should have said all is for the best."

He vainly said that human will is free, and that he chose neither the one nor the other.

A hundred times I was upon the point of killing myself; but still I loved life. This ridiculous foible is perhaps one of our most fatal characteristics; for is there anything more absurd than to wish to carry continually a burden which one can always throw down? to detest existence and yet to cling to one's existence? in brief, to caress the serpent which devours us, till he has eaten our very heart?

his soul was too pure to betray the truth.

You have fared but very indifferently because this is a poor village; but everywhere else, you will be received as you deserve."

"We do not pray to Him," said the worthy sage; "we have nothing to ask of Him; He has given us all we need, and we return Him thanks without ceasing."

"My friend, you see how perishable are the riches of this world; there is nothing solid but virtue, and the happiness of seeing Cunegonde once more."

"There are, however, some things good," said Candide. "That may be," said Martin; "but I know them not."

Come! your presence will either give me life or kill me with pleasure."

"You are very hard of belief," said Candide. "I have lived," said Martin.

Fools admire everything in an author of reputation. For my part, I read only to please myself. I like only that which serves my purpose."

This discourse gave rise to new reflections, and Martin especially concluded that man was born to live either in a state of distracting inquietude or of lethargic disgust. Candide did not quite agree to that, but he affirmed nothing. Pangloss owned that he had always suffered horribly, but as he had once asserted that everything went wonderfully well, he asserted it still, though he no longer believed it.

"I know also," said Candide, "that we must cultivate our garden." "You are right," said Pangloss, "for when man was first placed in the Garden of Eden, he was put there ut operaretur eum, that he might cultivate it; which shows that man was not born to be idle." "Let us work," said Martin, "without disputing; it is the only way to render life tolerable."