Candide,

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."

If this is the best of all possible worlds, what are the others?

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.

If we do not meet with agreeable things, we shall at least meet with something new.

It is noble to write as we think; it is the privilege of humanity.

"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."

"Excellently observed," answered Candide; "but let us cultivate our garden."

"Work then without disputing," said Martin; "it is the only way to render life supportable."

Qu’est-ce qu’optimisme? disait Cacambo. — Hélas! dit Candide, c’est la rage de soutenir que tout est bien quand on est mal.

If this is the best of possible worlds, what then are the others?

"You're a bitter man," said Candide. "That's because I've lived," said Martin.

Fools have a habit of believing that everything written by a famous author is admirable. For my part I read only to please myself and like only what suits my taste.

Our labour preserves us from three great evils -- weariness, vice, and want.

"Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that?" "Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst!

Even in those cities which seem to enjoy the blessings of peace, and where the arts florish, the inhabitants are devoured by envy, cares and anxieties, which are greater plagues than any experienced in a town when it is under siege.

Fools admire everything in an author of reputation.

Let us cultivate our garden.

"Let us work without reasoning," said Martin; "it is the only way to make life endurable."

In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.