Love Quote by Voltaire
““Were you ever in France, Mr. Martin?" said Candide. "Yes," said Martin, "I have been in several provinces. In some one-half of the people are fools, in others they are too cunning; in some they are weak and simple, in others they affect to be witty; in all, the principal occupation is love, the next is slander, and the third is talking nonsense." "But, Mr. Martin, have you seen Paris?" "Yes, I have. All these kinds are found there. It is a chaos—a confused multitude, where everybody seeks pleasure and scarcely any one finds it, at least as it appeared to me. I made a short stay there. On my arrival I was robbed of all I had by pickpockets at the fair of St. Germain. I myself was taken for a robber and was imprisoned for eight days, after which I served as corrector of the press to gain the money necessary for my return to Holland on foot. I knew the whole scribbling rabble, the party rabble, the fanatic rabble. It is said that there are very polite people in that city, and I wish to believe it.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Candide by Voltaire, 1759
Human nature is a mix of folly, cunning, love, slander, and nonsense, especially evident in chaotic cities like Paris.
In simple terms: People are flawed and seek pleasure, often missing it.
Question assumptions about human behavior.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- urban life
- political discourse
- personal relationships
- travel experiences
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives people to seek pleasure despite chaos?
- Can societies balance love and slander?
Generalizations may overlook individual virtue.