When Candide meets up with his old tutor Pangloss the latter is in a pitiable condition how does he explain the cause of his woes in the light of his principles of philosophical optimism?

Pangloss still believes in philosophical optimism, claiming that he had to experience hardships in order for the greater good to be realized in the world. He sees his current suffering as a necessary step in the grand plan of the universe, and remains steadfast in his belief that everything happens for a reason.