Smartyfair
History
But let us cultivate our garden.
Voltaire1694–1778 · writer · 1700s FranceVoltaire was a French writer and philosopher famous for his sharp wit and his fierce defense of free speech and religious tolerance.6 quotes
Source foundPerseverance1700s

In plain words

Stop arguing about the world and go tend the patch in front of you.

Look up a word

Where these words come from

How sure this is
85% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up
Candide (1759), closing line. French original: 'il faut cultiver notre jardin'. English from Project Gutenberg ebook 19942 — that edition names no translator; translator UNKNOWN, not assumed.
Work
Candide
Occasion
1759
Sources checked
  • en.wikisource.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026exact closing dialogue fetched, Smollett/Thornton translation
  • en.wikiquote.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026corroborating Sourced-section citation to Candide (1759)

Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.

More from Voltaire

See all
Common sense is not so common.VoltaireThe best is the enemy of the good.VoltaireAll styles are good except the boring kind.VoltaireThe secret of being a bore is to tell everything.VoltaireLove truth, but pardon error.Voltaire

More on perseverance

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.ConfuciusNature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.Lao TzuSlow and steady wins the race.AesopPatience is the key to relief.Arabic proverbDrops of water hollow out a stone.OvidFew things are impossible to diligence and skill.Samuel Johnson

Leave without saving?

You have a change that hasn’t been saved yet. Clicking out of the box saves it — closing now throws that change away.