Best of All Possible Worlds

Pangloss taught metaphysico-theologo-cosmolonigology. He proved admirably that there is no effect without a cause and that in this best of all possible worlds, My Lord the Baron’s castle is the best of castles and his wife the best of all possible Baronesses. “‘Tis demonstrated,” he said, “that things cannot be otherwise; for since everything is [...]

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Degrees of Paradise

Assan, son of Ali, was taking a bath, and a slave happened to spill a vessel of boiling water on his body. Assan gave him money and said, there is one degree of paradise for those who do not get angry, one for those who forgive, and one for those who reward involuntary offenses. – [...]

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Happiness

Happiness is a condition of the soul; consequently it cannot be durable. It is an abstract name composed of a few ideas of pleasure. – Voltaire, Notebooks

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We should cultivate our garden

“I also know,” said Candide, “that we should cultivate our garden.” “You are right,” said Pangloss, “for, when man was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was placed there ut operaretur eum, to dress it and to keep it; which proves that man was not born for idleness.” “Let us work without theorizing,” said [...]

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