# Voltaire - Quotes: 27 - Author page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire ## Books - [Candide](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide.md) — 43 quotes ## Recently added quotes > After the earthquake, which had destroyed three-fourths of the city of Lisbon, the sages of that country could think of no means more effectual to preserve the kingdom from utter ruin than to entertain the people with an auto-da-fe, it having been decided by the University of Coimbra, that the burning of a few people alive by a slow fire, and with great ceremony, is an infallible preventive of earthquakes... The same day there was another earthquake, which made most dreadful havoc. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/after-the-earthquake.md) > I have been a hundred times upon the point of killing myself, but still I was fond of life. This ridiculous weakness is, perhaps, one of the dangerous principles implanted in our nature. For what can be more absurd than to persist in carrying a burden of which we wish to be eased? to detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? In a word, to caress the serpent that devours us, and hug him close to our bosoms till he has gnawed into our hearts? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/i-have-been.md) > As soon as our two travelers had taken leave of His Excellency, Candide said to Martin, "Well, I hope you will own that this man is the happiest of all mortals, for he is above everything he possesses.""But do not you see," answered Martin, "that he likewise dislikes everything he possesses? It was an observation of Plato, long since, that those are not the best stomachs that reject, without distinction, all sorts of food.""True," said Candide, "but still there must certainly be a pleasure in criticising everything, and in perceiving faults where others think they see beauties.""That is," replied Martin, "there is a pleasure in having no pleasure." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/as-soon-as-our.md) > If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others? [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/if-this-is-the-best.md) > Ignorant readers are apt to judge a writer by his reputation. For my part, I read only to please myself. I like nothing but what makes for my purpose. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/ignorant-readers-are.md) > If we do not meet with agreeable things, we shall at least meet with something new. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/if-we-do-not.md) > It is noble to write as we think; it is the privilege of humanity. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/it-is-noble.md) > "You must certainly have a vast estate," said Candide to the Turk."I have no more than twenty acres of ground," he replied, "the whole of which I cultivate myself with the help of my children; and our labor keeps off from us three great evils — idleness, vice, and want." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/you-must-certainly.md) > In the neighborhood lived a famous dervish who passed for the best philosopher in Turkey; they went to consult him: Pangloss, who was their spokesman, addressed him thus:"Master, we come to entreat you to tell us why so strange an animal as man has been formed?""Why do you trouble your head about it?" said the dervish; "is it any business of yours?""But, Reverend Father," said Candide, "there is a horrible deal of evil on the earth.""What does it matter," said the dervish, "whether there is evil or good? When His Highness sends a ship to Egypt does he trouble his head whether the rats in the vessel are at their ease or not?""What must then be done?" said Pangloss."Be silent," answered the dervish. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/in-the-neighborhood.md) > In this country it is found requisite, now and then, to put an admiral to death, in order to encourage the others. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/in-this-country.md) > The captives, my companions, the Moors who took us, the soldiers, the sailors, the blacks, the whites, the mulattoes, and lastly, my captain himself, were all slain, and I remained alone expiring upon a heap of dead bodies. Similar barbarous scenes were transacted every day over the whole country, which is of three hundred leagues in extent, and yet they never missed the five stated times of prayer enjoined by their prophet Mahomet. [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/the-captives-my-companions.md) > "Excellently observed," answered Candide; "but let us cultivate our garden." [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/voltaire/candide/excellently-observed-answered.md)