Students
Teachers & SchoolsStudents
Teachers & SchoolsPrinciples
Principle and virtue fare better than most ideals in Candide and are mostly able to survive Voltaire’s scathing satire. Where religion and philosophy fail to unite people, principles of charity, honesty, and loyalty are consistently honored (at least by some of the characters). The role of virtue for women is kept to traditional gender roles, and has much to do with faithfulness and honor.
Candide’s constant philosophizing allows him to maintain his principles and exercise his virtue in a world of evil and suffering.
Cacambo is the only character in Candide with principles.