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"Optimism," said Cacambo, "What is that?"
"Alas!" replied Candide, "It is the obstinacy of
maintaining that everything is best when it is worst.”
All is for the best in this best of all possible worlds. This is the central theme Voltaire parodied in Candide, or Optimism. Through character Pangloss, Voltaire was mocking the optimistic worldview – Theodicy – of philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. From my perspective, Liebniz was right and Voltaire was wrong, and when you establish yourself at the level of the initial nondual insight, you’ll see that too. Everything is always for the best, just not necessarily your best.
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“But for what purpose was the earth formed?" asked Candide.
"To drive us mad," replied Martin.
