Chapter IV

Candide gives money to a diseased beggar who reveals himself to be Dr. Pangloss, his former teacher now in terrible condition. Candide inquires about the fate of Cunegonde and his family.

Pangloss tells Candide that Cunegonde was killed by Bulgarian soldiers and describes the massacre of his entire family and castle. This causes Candide to faint repeatedly.

Candide asks how love, which he considers the source of human comfort, could produce such terrible suffering in Pangloss. He contrasts this with his own limited experience of love.

Pangloss traces his venereal disease back through a long chain of people, ultimately to Columbus's companions in America. He uses this as an example of cause and effect in nature.

Pangloss argues that the venereal disease is an unavoidable and necessary ingredient of the best possible world because without Columbus's infection we would lack chocolate and cochineal. He notes the disease spreads through armies and will eventually reach other continents.

Candide dismisses Pangloss's philosophical defense and recommends he pursue medical treatment. Pangloss responds that he lacks funds for the expensive cure.

Candide appeals to James's charity and convinces him to take in Pangloss and pay for his cure. Pangloss recovers but loses an eye and an ear, and becomes James's bookkeeper.

James takes both philosophers with him on a ship to Lisbon on business. During the journey, Pangloss repeats his optimistic philosophy that everything is perfectly constituted.

James argues that mankind has corrupted nature and created instruments of destruction like cannons and bayonets; he also cites economic injustice as evidence against Pangloss's optimism.

Pangloss responds that private misfortunes are indispensable because they contribute to the general good. This argument directly opposes James's objections.

As Pangloss and James debate philosophy, the sky darkens and a violent storm assails the ship. This natural disaster interrupts their theoretical discussion.

During the shipwreck, James attempts to help a brutish sailor and is thrown overboard; he drowns despite Candide's desire to save him. Pangloss explains this disaster philosophically.

Upon arriving in Lisbon, Candide and Pangloss experience a massive earthquake that kills thirty thousand people and destroys the city. The brutish sailor survives and exploits the disaster for profit.

Pangloss attempts to explain the earthquake by positing a chain of sulphur extending underground from Lima to Lisbon. Even as Candide lies wounded, Pangloss insists on demonstrating his theory rather than providing aid.

After recovering, Candide and Pangloss assist survivors and share meals with them. Pangloss reassures the grieving survivors that everything is for the best and could not be otherwise.

An Inquisitor points out that if all is for the best, there could be no original sin or punishment, and thus no free will. Pangloss attempts to reconcile these doctrines with his optimism.

The University of Coimbra determines that burning people alive by slow fire will prevent further earthquakes. Authorities arrest a Biscayner, two Portuguese, Pangloss, and Candide for various offenses against religious orthodoxy.

Candide is publicly whipped while singing occurs, the Biscayner and two others are burned, and Pangloss is hanged. Immediately after, another violent earthquake strikes.

Candide expresses despair at the deaths of those he loved and the suffering he has endured, explicitly questioning whether this can truly be the best of possible worlds if worse ones exist.

An elderly woman approaches the tortured Candide and offers him courage and assistance, taking him to her home to nurse his wounds and provide food and rest.

The old woman provides Candide with pomatum, clean clothes, food, and nursing care over several days. Candide expresses amazement at her charity and asks who she is and how he can repay her.

The old woman takes Candide to a secluded house surrounded by gardens and canals, leaves him on a luxurious sofa, and promises to return. Candide reflects that this is the first pleasant moment of his life.

The old woman returns supporting a veiled woman who is revealed to be Cunegonde. Candide faints in shock and joy, and they recover their senses and begin to speak with great emotion.

Cunegonde confirms that she was indeed violated and ripped open by soldiers but survived, though her father, mother, and brother were killed. She survived due to the non-lethality of her wounds.

Cunegonde asks Candide to tell his story since their separation. Candide gives a complete account of his experiences despite his pain and weakness, which Cunegonde listens to with great emotion.