Mice On Board
There lived in the neighbourhood a very famous dervish, who passed for the greatest philosopher in Turkey. They went to consult him. Pangloss acted as their spokesman and said to him:
“Master, we have come to ask you to tell us why such a strange animal as man was created.”
“What’s that to you?” said the dervish. “Is it any of your business?”
“But, reverend father,” said Candide, “there’s an awful lot of evil in the world.”
“What does it matter whether there’s evil or there’s good?” said the dervish. “When His Highness sends a ship to Egypt, does he worry whether the mice on board are comfortable or not?”
“So what must we do then?” said Pangloss.
“Be silent,” said the dervish.
“I had flattered myself”, said Pangloss, “that we might have a talk about effect and causes, the best of all possible worlds, the origin of evil, the nature of the soul, and pre-established harmony.”
The dervish, at these words, slammed the door in their faces.