Candide Quotes

Dogs, monkeys, and parrots are a thousand times less miserable than we are.

I read only to please myself, and enjoy only what suits my taste.

What! Have you no monks to teach, to dispute, to govern, to intrigue and to burn people who do not agree with them?

It is love; love, the comfort of the human species, the preserver of the universe, the soul of all sentient beings, love, tender love.

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

What a pessimist you are!" exclaimed Candide. "That is because I know what life is," said Martin.

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

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

Also, everyone thinks they know Candide - you hear people described as 'Panglossian'. So if Candide appears on a poster, it feels familiar.

Candide is one of those books I read when I was young and that I come back to regularly.