Honest person

Author: Voltaire (France)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-09-01
Features: "Candide" is Voltaire's masterpiece. The protagonist, Candide, is innocent, kind-hearted, and simple-minded. He lives in the castle of Baron von Thunder-ten-Thurn and believes in the philosophy of his mentor Pangloss that "the world is the best of all possible worlds." Candide is expelled from the castle by the baron for falling in love with the baron's daughter, Cunégonde, and thus begins his life of wandering.
At first, Candide is drafted into the Bulgarian army and is severely beaten for acting freely. Soon after, the Bulgarian king and the King of Navarre go to war, and Candide witnesses the brutal slaughter, rape, and plunder committed by both armies. After narrowly escaping the war, Candide reaches the territory of the Netherlands and meets his mentor Pangloss. Pangloss has contracted syphilis and has become grotesquely deformed, but he still insists on preaching his doctrine of "everything is for the best." The master and disciple are exiled to Spain, where they encounter a major earthquake. Both are unjustly arrested and sentenced to death by the Inquisition in Lisbon to prevent the earthquake. Miraculously escaping execution, Candide coincidentally meets Cunégonde, while Pangloss disappears without a trace.
It turns out that the baron's family suffers a tragic fate during the war, and the baron's daughter is sold into slavery in Lisbon. Candide kills the Jewish banker and the judge who had taken advantage of Cunégonde and takes her to escape. However, the matter comes to light, and Candide is forced to part with Cunégonde temporarily, taking only his servant Cacambo to Paraguay for refuge. After enduring further hardships, they arrive at the Golden Land. After resting for more than a month, Candide and Cacambo set out, laden with gold and silver, to search for Cunégonde.
On the way, Candide travels to Paris and is nearly stripped of everything by swindlers and false priests. He also witnesses scenes of people slaughtering each other and deceitful dealings, beginning to doubt the philosophy that "all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds." Later, with the help of the pessimistic philosopher Martin, Candide learns that his beloved Cunégonde is a slave in Constantinople. After enduring countless hardships, he finally reunites with the miraculously surviving Pangloss and the grotesquely disfigured Cunégonde in Constantinople.
Candide keeps his promise, marries Cunégonde, buys land, and lives with his companions. However, their lives become monotonous. Fortunately, they are inspired by a Turkish peasant: "Work can free you from three great misfortunes—worry, excess, and hunger." Thus, Candide realizes the truth and advises his companions, "It's important to work our land." The novel ends here.