"Bouvard and Pécuchet" is a novel by French author Gustave Flaubert, published in 1881. The story follows two clerks, Bouvard and Pécuchet, who, after inheriting a fortune, decide to pursue various fields of knowledge, including literature, philosophy, and science. Their enthusiasm leads them to attempt mastery in each area, but they ultimately fail to achieve any lasting success. The novel satirizes the pursuit of knowledge without true understanding and critiques the educational system of the time. Through their misguided adventures, Bouvard and Pécuchet illustrate the folly of superficial learning and the limitations of self-education, making the work a significant commentary on human folly and ambition.