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

"Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that?" "Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when it is worst!

Fools admire everything in an author of reputation.

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.

"Let us work without reasoning," said Martin; "it is the only way to make life endurable."

In every province, the chief occupations, in order of importance, are lovemaking, malicious gossip, and talking nonsense.

Our labour preserves us from three great evils -- weariness, vice, and want.

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 experienced in a town when it is under siege.

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

If I had had more time, this letter would have been shorter.