Bulgarians Quote by Voltaire
“I should like to know which is worse: to be ravished a hundred times by pirates, and have a buttock cut off, and run the gauntlet of the Bulgarians, and be flogged and hanged in an auto-da-fe, and be dissected, and have to row in a galley -- in short, to undergo all the miseries we have each of us suffered -- or simply to sit here and do nothing?' That is a hard question,' said Candide.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Candide by Voltaire, 1759
The speaker questions whether extreme suffering or passive inaction is worse, highlighting the paradox of choosing between active torment and passive complacency.
In simple terms: Is suffering worse than doing nothing?
Key Takeaway
Consider the cost of inaction.
Themes
suffering
passivity
choice
philosophy
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- war
- political oppression
- personal crises
- everyday life
Key Concepts
existentialism
moral dilemma
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What does doing nothing cost you?
- Can you find meaning in suffering?
A Different Perspective
Passive suffering can be as damaging as active torment.
![“The shrieks were coming from two quite naked girls, who were pursued by a pair of apes snapping at their bottoms. [...] So he now raises his double-barrelled Spanish rifle, fires and kills both apes. 'God be praised, my dear Calambo! I have delivered these two poor creatures from grave peril; if…” quote by Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9a9/voltaire-173_apes_the-shrieks-were-coming-from-two-quite-n_173005.jpg)
