Voltaire's Candide, or Optimism, is a biting satirical novella first published in 1759. It recounts the misadventures of a young man, Candide, who is taught by his tutor, Professor Pangloss, that 'all is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.' As Candide journeys across the globe, experiencing war, natural disasters, religious persecution, and human cruelty, his naive optimism is repeatedly challenged. Voltaire masterfully employs irony and dark humor to critique philosophical optimism, religious fanaticism, and the follies of human society, ultimately suggesting a practical approach to life: 'we must cultivate our garden.'