Chapter XVIII

Candide and Cacambo are taken to an old man retired from court who will explain El Dorado's history and nature. The description of his modest yet luxurious dwelling suggests a society of refined simplicity.

The old man recounts that El Dorado is the ancient land of the Incas, preserved through a law prohibiting inhabitants from leaving, which protected them from European conquest and exploitation.

El Dorado practices a single, uncomplicated religion consisting of universal worship of one God and daily thanksgiving, without priests, monks, theological disputes, or sectarian violence.

Candide mentally compares El Dorado favorably to Westphalia and concludes that Pangloss was wrong about the Baron's castle being the finest on earth, recognizing the value of travel.

The old man arranges for Candide and Cacambo to meet the King, providing transportation and an explanation of El Dorado's customs, which prove to be gracious and welcoming.

Candide observes the remarkable architecture, public works, absence of courts and prisons, and the palace of sciences, revealing a society of peace, justice, and learning.

Candide spends a month enjoying El Dorado's hospitality and wit, finding it vastly superior to Westphalia, yet begins to feel restless for worldly ambition and romantic reunion.

Candide argues to Cacambo that they should leave El Dorado because Cunegonde is not there and they could gain prestige and wealth in Europe, appeals to human desire for travel and display.

The narrator explains that humans naturally desire to travel, make a figure in their homeland, and boast about their experiences, which persuades Candide and Cacambo to request departure.

The King acknowledges their freedom to leave and provides an ingenious machine to help them escape, while explaining that El Dorado's inhabitants wisely choose to remain.

The King supplies Candide and Cacambo with sheep laden with provisions, gold, diamonds, and precious stones, demonstrating his bewilderment at Europeans' valuation of material wealth.

Candide and Cacambo are hoisted over the mountains by ingenious machinery while laden with treasure, beginning their journey with dreams of rescuing Cunegonde.

Candide and Cacambo begin their journey in high spirits, celebrating their immense treasure and carving Cunegonde's name on trees, but quickly suffer losses of their sheep.

After losing most of the treasure, Candide reflects that only virtue and reunion with Cunegonde have true value, though Cacambo remains optimistic about their remaining wealth.

Candide meets an enslaved man who has been maimed by his master, revealing the brutal reality of European slavery and colonial commerce through first-hand testimony.

The enslaved man reveals that mutilation is the standard punishment for rebellion, that his mother sold him with promises of blessing that proved false, and ironically notes preachers claim all are children of Adam.

Candide explicitly rejects Pangloss's optimism, defining it as the madness of maintaining everything is right when it is wrong, moved to tears by the slave's suffering.

When Candide confesses his plan to elope with Cunegonde, the captain reveals she is the governor's favorite mistress, making the voyage dangerous and overturning Candide's hopes.

Candide resolves to send the trustworthy Cacambo to Buenos Aires to bribe the governor for Cunegonde's release, while he waits in Venice, a free city beyond danger.

Captain Vanderdendur repeatedly raises the price for passage after observing Candide's wealth and willingness to pay, eventually absconding with the payment and the sheep.

When Candide reports the theft to the magistrate, he is fined for making noise, promised delayed justice, and charged for the hearing, exemplifying official corruption and indifference.

Devastated by the compounded misfortunes and witnessing widespread villainy, Candide decides to find the most discontented person to accompany him to Bordeaux, offering payment.

Candide assembles numerous candidates claiming to be unfortunate, requires them to tell their stories under oath, and uses the old woman's insight that everyone has suffered greatly.

Hearing multiple accounts of suffering, Candide concludes that if all things are good, it applies only to El Dorado, and Pangloss's system of universal goodness is demonstrably false.

Candide chooses a poor philosopher robbed by family members and persecuted by preachers as his companion, hoping for intellectual conversation during the voyage to Europe.