Voltaire’s “Memmon, or Human Wisdom” is a cautionary tale, which alludes to the dangers of becoming too arrogant when the life of its protagonist, Memmon, falls into ruin. One day, Memmon decides that he wants to become the perfect philosopher. He is convinced that he can accomplish his goal easily—he simply has to rid himself of various passions, such as an interest in beautiful women. After making this proclamation, he provides council to a distressed woman who is having issues with her uncle. While they are speaking, the woman’s uncle arrives; he’s heavily armed. In order to avoid an untimely death, Memmon bribes him. After he pays the man off, Memmon decides to accept an invitation to go out with his friends. He gets drunk and loses all of his money gambling. Then, Memmon argues with one of his friends over the game and loses his eye in the dispute. The following day, he seeks the help of the king, but is rudely turned away without assistance. He returns home to find that his belongings are being taken away. Destitute, Memmon sleeps on a bed of straw and is visited by a celestial spirit in a dream. The spirit tells him that the only way he can obtain happiness is by abandoning his dream to becoming a perfect philosopher. In other words, if Memmon contains his arrogance, his life will improve.