Chapter 20 Summary

Candide and his new traveling companion, Martin, leave on a ship bound for Bordeaux. Candide brings up the subject of moral and physical evil with Martin. Martin explains to Candide that he is a Manichaean, and as such, he believes that God has forsaken Earth and it is instead controlled by something more evil, although from Candide's descriptions, Eldorado is exempt from the evil, which rules the rest of the world. Martian explains that he holds this belief because he has seen so much evil in humankind, such as war, greed, and desire.

Candide believes that he has an advantage over Martin because he still has reason to be optimistic towards his future. He has the hope of Cunégonde to keep him going and although he has lost most of his fortune, he is still rich with the diamonds and jewels in...