Candide, ou l'optimisme

by Voltaire

"Candide, ou l'optimisme" by Voltaire is a French satire first published in 1759. Young Candide lives a sheltered life in paradise, taught Leibnizian optimism by his mentor Professor Pangloss, who insists "all is for the best" in the "best of all possible worlds." When this life abruptly ends, Candide witnesses and experiences great hardships that slowly shatter his worldview. Through this fast-moving, fantastical tale, Voltaire ridicules religion, governments, armies, and philosophers, ultimately advocating the practical wisdom: "we must cultivate our garden."