How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph) We used the translation found on Project Gutenberg.
Quote #7
"I waxed old in misery and disgrace, having only one-half of my posteriors, and always remembering I was a Pope's daughter. A hundred times I was upon the point of killing myself; but still I loved life. This ridiculous foible is perhaps one of our most fatal characteristics; for is there anything more absurd than to wish to carry continually a burden which one can always throw down? to detest existence and yet to cling to one's existence? in brief, to caress the serpent which devours us, till he has eaten our very heart?" (12.16)
The Old Woman’s love of life exemplifies a fundamental aspect of human nature. Yet, interestingly, she is the only character to display such an emotion.
Quote #8
"Oh! my dear Cunégonde! must I leave you just at a time when the Governor was going to sanction our nuptials? Cunégonde, brought to such a distance what will become of you?" (14.4)
Candide’s love for Cunégonde blinds him to the reality of the Governor’s feelings toward her.
Quote #9
"We shall see that, thou scoundrel!" said the Jesuit Baron de Thunder-ten-Tronckh, and that instant struck him across the face with the flat of his sword. Candide in an instant drew his rapier, and plunged it up to the hilt in the Jesuit's belly; but in pulling it out reeking hot, he burst into tears.
"Good God!" said he, "I have killed my old master, my friend, my brother-in-law! I am the best-natured creature in the world, and yet I have already killed three men, and of these three two were priests." (15.9-10)
Blinded by his desire to marry Cunégonde, Candide is unable to think when the Baron objects to their marriage.