'It is demonstrable,' said he...

[martasfic]

I taught natural law and its application to homosexuality today. A fun class for a number of reasons, but not least because of this quote:

"It is demonstrable," said he, "that things cannot be otherwise than as they are; for as all things have been created for some end, they must necessarily be created for the best end. Observe, for instance, the nose is formed for spectacles, therefore we wear spectacles. The legs are visibly designed for stockings, accordingly we wear stockings. Stones were made to be hewn and to construct castles, therefore My Lord has a magnificent castle; for the greatest baron in the province ought to be the best lodged. Swine were intended to be eaten, therefore we eat pork all the year round: and they, who assert that everything is right, do not express themselves correctly; they should say that everything is best."

(from Voltaire's Candide)

Something about that always makes me smile...

Comments

[dreamflower]

"Observe, for instance, the nose is formed for spectacles, therefore we wear spectacles."

OK, that totally cracked me up! He had a very finely tuned sarcasm mode, did he not?

[celandineb.livejournal.com]

I read Candide back in HS - just for myself, not for class - but I remember nothing of it. One of these days I should read it again, evidently!

[roh-wyn.livejournal.com]

I've actually read Candide, but don't even remember it, lol. As I read this, I totally didn't het it, and then it hit me. ;)