Candide

Candide

Kelly White

8/26/06

I. Candide’s philosophy “The further I advance along the paths of life, the more do I find work a necessity. In the long run it becomes the greatest of pleasures, and it replaces lost illusions.” (page 3) shows his need to work and make his way through life on his own. Candide must always be working or making something to feel fulfilled. Candide shows this when he says. “ Neither my old age nor my illnesses dishearten me. Had I cleared but one field and made but twenty trees to flourish, that would still be an imperishable boom.” (page 3)

Candide’s philosophy does not only apply to himself, but to everyone. He feels that accomplishing something gives your life a purpose. If your life has a purpose then you are happy. Also, it gives you a since of accomplishment in the fact that you did something all on your own. If you know a trade or have a hobby, you will always be amused, have work, and be able to say that you did something useful with your life.

Candide is not the only one who shares his belief in the philosophy. Pangloss, his long time mentor, tutor, and friend and Martin also agree with his philosophy on life.

“You are perfectly right”, said Pangloss; “for when man was put into the garden of Eden, he was put there ut operaretur eum, so that he should work it; this proves that man was not born to take his ease.”

“Let’s work without speculating”, said Martin; “it’s the only way of rendering life bearable. The whole little group entered into this laudable scheme; each one began to exercise his talents. The little plot yielded fine crops†.†.†. “

Pangloss said to Candide, “All events are linked together in the best of possible worlds; for, after all, if you had not been driven from a fine castle by being kicked in the backside for love of Miss CunИgonde, if you hadn’t been sent before the Inquisition, if you hadn’t traveled across America on foot, if you hadn’t given a good sword thrust to the baron, if you hadn’t lost all your sheep from the good land of Eldorado, you wouldn’t be sitting here eating candied citron and pistachios.”

“That is very well put”, said Candide, “but we must go and work our garden.”

This conversation between Pangloss, Martin, and Candide shows how much they believe that man was put on the earth to work and not to question what happens to him. If one works hard for everything they have, then if some misfortune hits he still has the knowledge that he has the ability to