Summary
Candide and Martin visit Lord Pococurante, a wealthy Venetian senator who owns everything money can buy—beautiful servants, priceless art, an extensive library, magnificent gardens. Yet Pococurante finds fault with everything he possesses. He dismisses Raphael's paintings as too dark, calls Homer boring, finds Virgil flat, and even criticizes Milton's Paradise Lost as barbaric nonsense. His servants bore him, music annoys him, and he plans to redesign his garden because it lacks taste. Candide is initially impressed, thinking Pococurante must be the happiest man alive since he's 'above everything he possesses.' But Martin sees the truth: Pococurante is disgusted with everything precisely because he has everything. This chapter exposes the hollow core of material success and intellectual snobbery. Pococurante represents the danger of becoming so refined that nothing can satisfy you, so educated that you lose the ability to enjoy simple pleasures. His wealth has isolated him from genuine experience—he can afford the finest art but can't feel its beauty. Voltaire shows us that happiness isn't about having the best of everything, but about finding meaning in what you have. The chapter also highlights how privilege can breed contempt rather than gratitude, and how endless criticism without appreciation leads to spiritual poverty.
Coming Up in Chapter 26
Candide and Martin's journey takes an unexpected turn when they encounter six mysterious strangers at supper, each harboring secrets that will challenge everything they think they know about power and fortune.
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An excerpt from the original text.(~500 words)
THE VISIT TO LORD POCOCURANTE, A NOBLE VENETIAN. Candide and Martin went in a gondola on the Brenta, and arrived at the palace of the noble Signor Pococurante. The gardens, laid out with taste, were adorned with fine marble statues. The palace was beautifully built. The master of the house was a man of sixty, and very rich. He received the two travellers with polite indifference, which put Candide a little out of countenance, but was not at all disagreeable to Martin. First, two pretty girls, very neatly dressed, served them with chocolate, which was frothed exceedingly well. Candide could not refrain from commending their beauty, grace, and address. "They are good enough creatures," said the Senator. "I make them lie with me sometimes, for I am very tired of the ladies of the town, of their coquetries, of their jealousies, of their quarrels, of their humours, of their pettinesses, of their prides, of their follies, and of the sonnets which one must make, or have made, for them. But after all, these two girls begin to weary me." After breakfast, Candide walking into a long gallery was surprised by the beautiful pictures. He asked, by what master were the two first. "They are by Raphael," said the Senator. "I bought them at a great price, out of vanity, some years ago. They are said to be the finest things in Italy, but they do not please me at all. The colours are too dark, the figures are not sufficiently rounded, nor in good relief; the draperies in no way resemble stuffs. In a word, whatever may be said, I do not find there a true imitation of nature. I only care for a picture when I think I see nature itself; and there are none of this sort. I have a great many pictures, but I prize them very little." While they were waiting for dinner Pococurante ordered a concert. Candide found the music delicious. "This noise," said the Senator, "may amuse one for half an hour; but if it were to last longer it would grow tiresome to everybody, though they durst not own it. Music, to-day, is only the art of executing difficult things, and that which is only difficult cannot please long. Perhaps I should be fonder of the opera if they had not found the secret of making of it a monster which shocks me. Let who will go to see bad tragedies set to music, where the scenes are contrived for no other end than to introduce two or three songs ridiculously out of place, to show off an actress's voice. Let who will, or who can, die away with pleasure at the sight of an eunuch quavering the _rôle_ of Cæsar, or of Cato, and strutting awkwardly upon the stage. For my part I have long since renounced those paltry entertainments which constitute the glory of modern Italy, and are purchased so dearly by sovereigns." Candide disputed the point a little, but with...
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Intelligence Amplifier™ Analysis
The Road of Endless Dissatisfaction
When having everything breeds contempt for everything, creating a prison of perpetual criticism and lost capacity for genuine pleasure.
Why This Matters
Connect literature to life
This chapter teaches how to spot when getting what you want starts destroying your ability to want anything.
Practice This Today
This week, notice when you catch yourself constantly critiquing instead of experiencing—pause and ask what you're actually feeling beneath the criticism.
Now let's explore the literary elements.
Terms to Know
Pococurante
An Italian name meaning 'caring little' - Voltaire created this character name to embody someone who is indifferent to everything. The name itself tells us this is a person who has become so jaded that nothing moves or excites them anymore.
Modern Usage:
We see this in wealthy people who complain about five-star restaurants or celebrities who seem bored by their own success.
Venetian Senator
In 18th-century Venice, senators were wealthy aristocrats who governed the republic. They represented the pinnacle of refined taste, education, and cultural sophistication in European society.
Modern Usage:
Think of today's cultural elite - museum board members, art collectors, or tech billionaires who are supposed to have the 'best' taste.
Connoisseurship
The practice of being an expert judge of art, literature, or culture. Pococurante represents the dark side of this - when expertise becomes snobbery that kills enjoyment.
Modern Usage:
Like wine snobs who can't enjoy a decent bottle, or music critics who dismiss popular songs as beneath them.
Ennui
A French word for deep boredom and dissatisfaction that comes from having everything you want. It's the emptiness that wealth and privilege can create when life loses meaning.
Modern Usage:
We see this in wealthy people's children who have no motivation, or anyone who gets everything they thought they wanted but still feels empty.
Cultural Capital
Knowledge of art, literature, and 'high culture' that signals social status. Pococurante has maximum cultural capital but uses it to dismiss rather than appreciate.
Modern Usage:
Like people who name-drop books they've read or restaurants they've been to, but never seem to actually enjoy anything.
Satire of Refinement
Voltaire mocks the idea that having sophisticated taste automatically makes someone happy or superior. He shows how refinement can become a prison that blocks simple pleasures.
Modern Usage:
Think of people so focused on having the 'right' opinions about everything that they forget to enjoy life.
Characters in This Chapter
Lord Pococurante
Wealthy antagonist of happiness
A Venetian senator who owns priceless art, beautiful servants, and vast wealth but finds fault with everything. He dismisses masterpieces, complains about his luxuries, and represents how privilege can breed contempt rather than gratitude.
Modern Equivalent:
The billionaire who complains about everything - private jets are uncomfortable, five-star restaurants disappoint, nothing meets their impossible standards
Candide
Naive observer
Initially impressed by Pococurante's wealth and possessions, thinking he must be the happiest man alive. His admiration slowly turns to confusion as he realizes that having everything doesn't equal happiness.
Modern Equivalent:
The person who assumes rich people must be happy and slowly realizes money doesn't solve everything
Martin
Cynical truth-teller
Immediately sees through Pococurante's facade and understands that his wealth has made him miserable rather than happy. Martin recognizes the spiritual poverty behind material abundance.
Modern Equivalent:
The friend who isn't impressed by rich people and can spot fake happiness from a mile away
The Two Pretty Girls
Objectified servants
Beautiful young women who serve Pococurante and are used by him sexually, yet even they bore him. They represent how wealth can turn human relationships into mere possessions.
Modern Equivalent:
Trophy wives or sugar babies - beautiful people treated as accessories rather than individuals
Key Quotes & Analysis
"They are good enough creatures. I make them lie with me sometimes, for I am very tired of the ladies of the town."
Context: Describing his beautiful servants to Candide with casual indifference
This reveals Pococurante's complete objectification of women and his inability to form meaningful relationships. Even sexual pleasure has become routine and boring to him.
In Today's Words:
They're okay I guess. I sleep with them when I'm bored with other women.
"I bought them at a great price, out of vanity, some years ago. They are said to be the finest things in Italy, but they do not please me at all."
Context: Dismissing Raphael paintings that Candide admires
He admits buying art for status rather than love, and now can't appreciate what he owns. This shows how wealth without genuine appreciation leads to emptiness.
In Today's Words:
I paid a fortune for these because people said I should. Everyone thinks they're amazing, but honestly, I don't see what the big deal is.
"He is above everything he possesses."
Context: Candide's initial misreading of Pococurante's attitude
Candide mistakes contempt for superiority, not realizing that being 'above' everything means being unable to enjoy anything. It's a lesson about the difference between detachment and appreciation.
In Today's Words:
He's so sophisticated that nothing impresses him anymore.
Thematic Threads
Class
In This Chapter
Pococurante's wealth isolates him from authentic experience—he owns art but can't feel its beauty
Development
Evolved from earlier chapters showing class barriers to now showing how privilege can become its own trap
In Your Life:
You might notice how achieving a higher position at work sometimes makes it harder to connect with simple workplace pleasures.
Identity
In This Chapter
Pococurante defines himself through sophisticated criticism rather than genuine appreciation
Development
Builds on Candide's identity struggles by showing how identity based on superiority leads to emptiness
In Your Life:
You might catch yourself proving your worth by finding flaws in things others enjoy.
Social Expectations
In This Chapter
Pococurante performs refinement and boredom as markers of his elevated status
Development
Continues theme of people performing roles society expects rather than being authentic
In Your Life:
You might feel pressure to be unimpressed by things that actually bring you joy because it seems more sophisticated.
Personal Growth
In This Chapter
Pococurante has stopped growing—his wealth has made him static and judgmental
Development
Contrasts with Candide's ongoing development, showing how privilege can halt growth
In Your Life:
You might notice how comfort zones can trap you in patterns of criticism rather than curiosity.
You now have the context. Time to form your own thoughts.
Discussion Questions
- 1
What does Lord Pococurante own, and how does he feel about his possessions?
analysis • surface - 2
Why does having everything he could want make Pococurante miserable instead of happy?
analysis • medium - 3
Where do you see this pattern of 'having everything but enjoying nothing' in modern life?
application • medium - 4
How can someone protect their ability to appreciate simple pleasures when they become successful or experienced?
application • deep - 5
What's the difference between having high standards and being unable to enjoy anything?
reflection • deep
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Dissatisfaction Triggers
Think about an area of your life where you've gained expertise or success. Write down three things you used to enjoy in that area but now find yourself criticizing instead of experiencing. Then identify one small way you could reconnect with the simple pleasure you used to feel.
Consider:
- •Notice the difference between constructive evaluation and automatic fault-finding
- •Consider how your increased knowledge might be blocking your enjoyment
- •Think about whether your criticism serves a purpose or just creates distance
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when achieving something you wanted didn't bring the satisfaction you expected. What did you learn about the relationship between success and happiness?
Coming Up Next...
Chapter 26: Dinner with Fallen Kings
As the story unfolds, you'll explore power and status can disappear overnight, leaving former leaders as ordinary people, while uncovering shared misfortune often creates unexpected bonds between strangers. These lessons connect the classic to contemporary challenges we all face.