Animal Quote by Voltaire
“It would be very singular that all nature, all the planets, should obey eternal laws, and that there should be a little animal five feet high, who, in contempt of these laws, could act as he pleased, solely according to his caprice.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: Candide, 1759
Voltaire satirically imagines a small creature defying universal laws, highlighting the absurdity of unchecked caprice in a world of order.
In simple terms: A tiny being acting on whim disrupts cosmic order.
Key Takeaway
Beware of selfish whims that ignore larger laws.
Themes
order
caprice
nature
Mood
critical
ironic
Type
philosophical
satirical
When to use this quote
- political satire
- ethical debate
- creative writing
Key Concepts
free will
determinism
absurdity
Questions to Reflect On
- What limits should govern personal freedom?
- How does satire reveal truth?
A Different Perspective
Human ego often clashes with natural order.
