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Pangloss, who was as inquisitive as he was argumentative, asked the old man what the name of the strangled Mufti was. ‘I don’t know,’ answered the worthy man, ‘
by wombatmobile 6y ago
Pangloss, who was as inquisitive as he was argumentative, asked the old man what the name of the strangled Mufti was. ‘I don’t know,’ answered the worthy man, ‘and I have never known the name of any Mufti, nor of any Vizier. I have no idea what you’re talking about; my general view is that people who meddle with politics usually meet a miserable end, and indeed they deserve to. I never bother with what is going on in Constantinople; I only worry about sending the fruits of the garden which I cultivate off to be sold there.’ Having said these words, he invited the strangers into his house; his two sons and two daughters presented them with several sorts of sherbet, which they had made themselves, with kaimak enriched with the candied-peel of citrons, with oranges, lemons, pine-apples, pistachio-nuts, and Mocha coffee… – after which the two daughters of the honest Muslim perfumed the strangers’ beards. ‘You must have a vast and magnificent estate,’ said Candide to the turk. ‘I have only twenty acres,’ replied the old man; ‘I and my children cultivate them; and our labour preserves us from three great evils: weariness, vice, and want.’ Candide, on his way home, reflected deeply on what the old man had said. ‘This honest Turk,’ he said to Pangloss and Martin, ‘seems to be in a far better place than kings…. I also know,” said Candide, “that we must cultivate our garden.’
-- Voltaire, Candide
- tmountain 6y agoCommenting, so I can revisit this later. Great excerpt!
- sethjgore 6y agolikewise!
- alpha_squared 6y agoYou can favorite comments if you click on their timestamp.
- jerkstate 6y agoYou should just read Candide, it’s fun and hilarious, and a true cultural touchstone.
- slothtrop 6y agoYes, fairly short as well. One of my favorites.
- telesilla 6y agoThe families I know who live best are permaculturalists. Visiting them for dinner is always a treat. It's hard work though, and like others they have supplemental income. I imagine this old man knows well the trick: an independent life is impossible unless you have enough healthy young people around to do the labour.
- jimbokun 6y ago"an independent life is impossible unless you have enough healthy young people around to do the labour." Or about $1 million stashed in index funds, give or take based on cost of living in your location.
- raintrees 6y agoOr around $600K in down payments in cash flowing rental properties in the US... My wife and I spent around $75K to get approximately $1K a month in cash flow (5 doors, $200 each)...
- Rumudiez 6y agoI think the topic is independence, not being a parasite on others who are less well off than you.
- 1MoreThing 6y agoIt is kind of hilarious how often rent-seeking behavior is called out as evil when it comes to software companies, but actual rent-seeking with real estate is seen as virtuous investment.
- vageli 6y ago$75k for five doors? Might I ask whereabouts? That seems ridiculously cheap per unit.
- ngngngng 6y ago
- hoytech 6y agoAnd also check out the concept of the Epicurean garden, which is what Voltaire is referring to: https://www.18thcenturycommon.org/cultivating-philosophy-in-the-epicurean-garden/ https://www.18thcenturycommon.org/cultivating-philosophy-in-...
- singlow 6y agoI was reminded of Being There by Jerzy Kosiński: > In a garden, things grow... but first, they must wither; trees have to lose their leaves in order to put forth new leaves, and to grow thicker and stronger and taller. Some trees die, but fresh saplings replace them. Gardens need a lot of care. But if you love your garden, you don’t mind working in it, and waiting. Then in the proper season you will surely see it flourish. > A gardener! Isn’t that the perfect description of what a real businessman is?
- Breza 6y agoHaven't thought of that book in years but it's the perfect thing to cite here. Bravo.
- slothtrop 6y agoLove the quote and book, but only half-way agree with the sentiment, unless you stretch the analogy of what the garden is. Simple living/work won't in itself quench or stave off desire and passions. If that were true farmers would be a happier demographic. Desire never really disappears, it's at best channeled through engagement / flow, which dovetails with the fact that man's work is also the strongest predictor of his happiness. I imagine, but don't know, that those who want for nothing are not complacent, and those who are complacent can never consume enough.