Candide, written by French Enlightenment philosopher Voltaire and published in 1759, is a satirical novella that follows the misadventures of its naive young protagonist, Candide. Taught by his tutor Pangloss to believe that "all is for the best in the best of all possible worlds," Candide is expelled from his home in Westphalia and embarks on a journey across the globe. Through earthquakes, wars, shipwrecks, and betrayals, he witnesses relentless suffering that gradually dismantles his optimistic worldview. Accompanied by his beloved Cunégonde and loyal companions, Candide ultimately abandons abstract philosophy, concluding that true fulfillment lies in practical labor—"we must cultivate our garden." The novel remains a masterpiece of satire, mocking blind optimism, religious hypocrisy, and human folly.
