Candide
by Voltaire
Table of Contents
Key Quotes
1. Pangloss taught metaphysico-theo-logo-cosmolonigology. He proved most admirably,
that there could not be an effect without a cause; that, in this best of possible worlds,
my lord the Baron’s castle was the most magnificent of castles, and my Lady the best of
Baronesses that possibly could be.
“It is demonstrable,” said he, “that things cannot be otherwise than they are: for all
things having been made for some end, they must necessarily be for the best end.
Observe well, that the nose has been made for carrying spectacles; therefore we
have spectacles. The legs are visibly designed for stockings, and therefore we have
stockings. Stones have been formed to be hewn, and make castles; therefore my
Lord has a very fine castle; the greatest baron of the province ought to be the best
accommodated. Swine were made to be eaten; therefore we eat pork all the year round;
consequently, those who have merely asserted that all is good, have said a very foolish
thing; they should have said all is the best possible.”
Here, Doctor Pangloss articulates his philosophy of optimism, the critique of
which is the central theme of Candide. The core of philosophical optimism is the idea
that “all things having been made for some end, they must necessarily be for the best
end.” Throughout Candide, Voltaire repeatedly challenges this assumption. Pangloss’s
examples of cause and effect are obviously logically flawed, just as Voltaire believed
the overall philosophy of optimism to be flawed. Pangloss is depicted as absurdly
simpleminded. In...
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