Two monthes later, James had to go on business to Lisbon, and took two philosphers with him.
On the voyage, Pangloss explained to James the perfection of the scheme of things. James disagreed: ‘men must have deviated somewhat from their original innocence,’ he said. ‘They were not born wolves, but they are become wolves. God did not give them twenty-four pounders nor bayonets, but they have made these things for their own destruction. I might also speak of bankruptcies, and the law which siezes upon the property of bankrupts solely in order to keep it from the creditors.’
‘All that had to be,’ replied the one-eyed doctor. ‘Private ills make up the general good. It therefore follows that, the more numerous the private ills, the greater the general good.’
As he spoke, the sky was darkening and a high wind was rising. The ship, which was now in sight of Lisbon harbour, was struck by a terrible storm
– Voltaire
