- Pangloss teaches that everything is for the best and that man lives in the "best of all possible worlds."
- When Pangloss explains that Cunegonde has been killed, Candide passes out. Upon awakening, he muses, "Ah, best of worlds, what's become of you now?"
- When Jacques confronts Pangloss' systemic philosophy, the philosopher responds, ".private misfortunes make for public welfare."
- Seeing an abused African slave stretched out on the road before them, the two question him, and learn that a very religious Christian man is his master. Hearing this, Candide admits to himself, "I'm through, I must give up [Pangloss'] optimism after all... It is a mania for saying things are well when one is in hell."
- Angry and dejected, Candide tries to get the authorities involved, but they are less than helpful or polite. Soon he resolves to himself that if there is a place where everything is for the best, "it is in Eldorado and not in the rest of the world."
- Later, being entertained at a home where he meets a wise man, Candide immediately asks him if he subscribes to Pangloss' philosophy of optimism. The man says he doesn't, maintaining that "everything goes wrong in our world.."
- Candide responds by repeating Pangloss' teaching that "troubles are just the shadows in a beautiful picture."
- At this point, however, Martin asserts that "the shadows are horrible ugly blots."
- Now in Venice, Candide makes his first priority to find Cacambo, hoping that he has brought Cunegonde. After a few days of fruitless searching, he grows despairing, finally resolving to Martin that Cunegonde is dead, that "all is but illusion and disaster."
- Following the example of a neighboring Turk, Candide decides that his household will no longer debate philosophy, saying "we must [simply] cultivate our garden."
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