50 quotes
French writer, historian and philosopher (1694–1778)
“Men argue. Nature acts.”
"Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that?" "Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst."
on Philosophy
"We all look for happiness, but without knowing where to find it: like drunkards who look for their house, knowing dimly that they have one"
on Happiness
"One should always cite what one does not understand at all in the language one understands the least."
on Wisdom
"I assert nothing, I content myself with believing that more is possible than people think."
"One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose."
on Writing
"The heart has its own reasons that reason can't understand."
on Love
"In the beginning God created man in His own image, and man has been trying to repay the favor ever since."
on Religion
"What most persons consider as virtue, after the age of 40 is simply a loss of energy."
"It is with books as with men: a very small number play a great part."
"I've decided to be happy because it's good for my health."
"What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide."That is because I know what life is," said Martin."
"Men use thought only as authority for their injustice, and employ speech only to conceal their thoughts."
"One day everything will be well, that is our hope. Everything's fine today, that is our illusion"
on Hope
"Having lived with kings, I have become a king in my own home."
on Life
"What's optimism? said Cacambo. Alas, said Candide, it is a mania for saying things are well when one is in hell."
"The art of medicine consists of amusing the patient while nature cures the disease."
"Every man is a creature of the age in which he lives and few are able to raise themselves above the ideas of the time."
on Culture
"An opportunity fordoing an injury happens a hundred times a day, hut for doing good not once a year," says Zoroaster."
on Ethics
"We are rarely proud when we are alone."
on Identity
"Verses which do not teach men new and moving truths do not deserve to be read."
