Who cares about the most perfect of worlds, if I’m not on it?
While discussing a concept of genius, Rameau’s nephew asks Mr. Philosopher why nature couldn’t make men of genius be good people as well, if nature is so mighty and wise. Mr. Philosopher says that even a mere suggestion of it can “confound the general order”. They both agree that despite all imperfections of this world and its order, they wouldn’t trade it even for “the most perfect of worlds”, if there wouldn’t be place for them.
That’s vanity
There are many things which Rameau considers to be vanity. For instance, he doesn’t care for “defending one’s county, helping one’s friends and taking care of the education of one’s children”, because personally he believes that it is all vanity. According to him, “there is no county anymore”, which means that there is nothing to defend. Friendship is also of no importance, because there are no friends. Rameau’s nephew doesn’t even want to “occupy a position in society and carry out its duties”, because these things are also vanity for him.
The man who will laugh the last, will laugh best
Optimism is a good quality to have in order to live a happy life. In spite of his numerous misfortunes and struggles, Rameau’s nephew doesn’t seem to be upset. He hopes that “this misfortune keeps going for only another forty years”. To say more, he is going to “laugh best”. This character embodies the army of ordinary people, who are neither geniuses, nor great talents, who don’t want or maybe even are not able to do something to change the world and are not afraid to admit it.
