Letters 100 - 113 Summary

In Letter 100, Usbek records the description of the habits of Persian princes told to him by a man whom Usbek considered to be a "sensible" European. In Letter 101, Usbek writes out his feelings about the description given in Letter 100. He writes that in Europe it is said that gratitude, and not the values of obedience or submission, is what will guarantee men's loyalty. In Letter 102, Rhedi responds to one of Usbek's letters in which he wrote about the way the sciences are promoted in the West. Rhedi, however, is concerned that it is through these developing sciences that men will eventually learn enough that they will destroy themselves. In fact, Rhedi writes that he believes the Muslims are blessed because of their ignorance in the study of science.

In Letter 103, Usbek points out the irony of Rhedi's reasoning in Letter 102. Usbek...