Voltaire, Candide
"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 expirienced in a town when it is under siege."
24 Quotes
"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 expirienced in a town when it is under siege."
Voltaire, Candide
"What can be more absurd than choosing to carry a burden that one really wants to throw to the ground? To detest, and yet to strive to preserve our existence? To caress the serpent that devours us and hug him close to our bosoms tillhe has gnawed into our hearts?"
Voltaire, Candide
"Imagine all contradictions, all possible incompatibilities--you will find them in the government, in the law-courts, in the churches, in the public shows of this droll nation."
Voltaire, Candide
"My dear young lady, when you are in love, and jealous, and have been flogged by the Inquisition, there's no knowing what you may do."
Voltaire, Candide
"But there must be some pleasure in condemning everything--in perceiving faults where others think they see beauties.''You mean there is pleasure in having no pleasure."
Voltaire, Candide
"What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide."That is because I know what life is," said Martin."
Voltaire, Candide
"Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that" "Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst."
Voltaire, Candide
"mankind have a little corrupted nature, for they were not born wolves, and they have become wolves; God has given them neither cannon of four-and-twenty pounders, nor bayonets; and yet they have made cannon and bayonets to destroy one another."
Voltaire, Candide
"when man was put into the garden of eden, he was put there with the idea that he should work the land; and this proves that man was not born to be idle."
Voltaire, Candide
"Martin in particular concluded that man was born to live either in the convulsions of misery, or in the lethargy of boredom."
Voltaire, Candide
"He wanted to know how they prayed to God in El Dorado. "We do not pray to him at all," said the reverend sage. "We have nothing to ask of him. He has given us all we want, and we give him thanks continually."
Voltaire, Candide
"But for what purpose was the earth formed" asked Candide. "To drive us mad," replied Martin."
Voltaire, Candide
"Our labour preserves us from three great evils -- weariness, vice, and want."
Voltaire, Candide
"If they're from the village, you take them to the inn. If they're from the city, you treat them with respect when they are beautiful and throw them on the highway when they are dead."
Voltaire, Candide
"Candide, who trembled like a philosopher, hid himself as well as he could during this heroic butchery."
Voltaire, Candide
"All men are by nature free; you have therefore an undoubted liberty to depart whenever you please, but will have many and great difficulties to encounter in passing the frontiers."
Voltaire, Candide
"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."
Voltaire, Candide
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