Voltaire (Francois-Marie
Arouet) 1694-1778
- Voltaire was in prison
or exile for a good portion of his life (352). However, this never seemed to
detour his passions for seeking and expressing truth in the form he chose,
writing. Voltaire saw the world and its many forms of laws and justices, and
even cruelty. He lived to be eighty-three years old and produced "...
enough work to fill 135 volumes," (353). He did not stick to only one
style of writing or even story telling. He wrote plays or drama and humor,
epics and events of history, even dabbling in journalism.
- He was an influence to
the French Revolution leaders and even our own founding fathers (353). His
ideals and principals helped to form and shape the constitution we live by
today (354). Some of these ideas are what caused Voltaire so much trouble in
his life. He fought for freedom of speech and the idea that church and state
should be separate. As he often regarded religion and its followers
hypocritical (354).
- His idea of utopia and
someone being willing to leave it may signify hope. A hope that someone could
try and emulate that perfection for the collective man. (354)
- Voltaire was called
the Antichrist like many a great man (and not so great) throughout history
(355) .
- "... and
everything was confusion in the most beautiful and agreeable of all possible
castles." (356)
Looks can be deceiving.
Even the most perfect religion with the most perfect gods have their
faults.
-Candide .... Candid....
coincidence? I think not.
- "... men were
made only to render one another mutual aid." (357)
If only it were so
thought universally.
- Candide was very optimistic
and thought that everything was for the best as per Dr. Pangloss'
teachings.
- Will for Human rights and
freedoms illustrated (357- 358) Violence to those who would impose their freedoms.
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