The story of ‘The Little Prince‘ by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry is filled with very thoughtful quotes; it is even difficult to decide the best ones. After careful consideration, 12 quotes were picked. Let’s look at some of the quotes from ‘The Little Prince‘ that stood out from the rest.
Irony
Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining thing
Such an irony. Very much like roles reversed. It seems it is the grown-ups who now have to go to children to find meaning and reconnect with what matters. This is because grown-ups have their interests set on the things they would term the matters of consequence. They have simply got their list of priorities upside down. Children now have the explaining to do, and grown-ups now have the understanding to deal with.
Fate
When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey.
The boy’s thoughts after this little person said to draw him a sheep, a second time. This quote has something to do with fate. Sometimes, one may not fully understand something yet but has to act fast anyway. Instincts should not be completely ignored. In fact, they should guide us. For someone with a good sense of judgment, that person’s instincts or convictions would hardly ever be wrong.
Tears: An Expression of Personal Hurt
It is such a secret place, the land of tears. Often times, when someone is crying, we do not know exactly how to comfort them. Why, because tears are such a personal thing, an expression of a personal hurt.
When the little prince cries, after getting angry at the boy, the boy sees things from his perspective and takes him in his arms. He doesn’t know what else to do, because tears are such a private thing, and ‘it is such a secret place, the land of tears.’
People cry to the extent they have been hurt. It is hard to know, and it is hard to tell exactly because it is personal. Sometimes, words do too much, and silence is just perfect for that moment.
Patience
Well, I must be acquainted with two or three caterpillars if I wish to be acquainted with the butterflies.
This quote from Chapter 9 reminds us that sometimes, people need to pass through a process to get to a better place. Life comes in stages. The butterfly was once a caterpillar. Sometimes, to get to a good place, one has to navigate a not-so-pleasant phase. The flower resolves within and without, to deal with the caterpillars and tolerate their excesses, in anticipation of the butterflies that would come from them.
Being Realistic in Your Expectations
One must require from each one the duty which each one can perform.
These are the words of the king on one of the planets the little prince visited. He even goes further; the king in his little planet, thus- Accepted authority rests first of all on reason. This was his response to the little prince’s request to be shown the sunset. Implying- to wait for a favorable time, for that is beyond his control. That is a very practical quote. Like, in whatever you do, be for real. Do not bank on the impossible to happen.
Conceit
Conceited people hear nothing but praise.
This one from Chapter 10 is precise and powerful. It should make one reflect. Arrogant people are too self-absorbed to notice things going on around them. Conceit just has a way of shutting people’s eyes to what matters. Conceited people are emotionally blind or bereft. They are simply aloof. This quote was referring to the conceited man in Antoine’s story of ‘The Little Prince.’ The man who thought himself to be the most handsome, even though it was just him on his planet. Conceited people breathe and eat praises.
Mutuality
I myself own a flower which I water every day. I own three volcanoes which I clean out every week, for I also clean up the one that is extinct; one never knows. It is of some use to my volcanoes, and it is of some use to my flower, that I own them. But you are of no use to the stars…
That one’s a mouthful- the little prince’s reaction to the businessman who built castles in the air, counting stars to own. Wow, what a blow! Relationships should be mutually beneficial, not just one party taking, taking, and taking. If something or someone is of use to you, what use are you to that thing or person? It mustn’t be equal halves, but there has to be something from each person at least.
Effort matters a lot. Mutually beneficial relationships are more justifiable and are wont to last longer than parasitic relationships where one person receives without ever attempting to give.
Understanding Humans and Other Creatures
One only understands the things that one tames.
The fox’s words in Chapter 21 while having a conversation with the little prince. If you aren’t intentional about getting to know someone, you will never understand them- who or what they are, why they do what they do, and why they behave the way they behave. And, I agree with the fox when he says, to understand a thing, one must first tame it.
What Matters
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
The Fox’s words in Chapter 21. This one does not need much explanation. Basically, what is within, is often greater than what is without. The most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or touched; they are felt with the heart.
The heart does not lie. We should learn to look more with our hearts. We should learn to shut off the noise so we can feel what’s on the inside. The heart sees all; reveals what should matter to us.
Time as Love’s Currency
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
This quote is also from Chapter 21, and this one is saying that the time people spend on things almost always shows how important those things are to them. That time you think you are wasting, spending on something or someone you love, is anything but a waste. It is your way of showing you love that thing or that person.
The Timelessness of Love
Men have forgotten this truth, but you must not forget it. You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed. You are responsible for your rose.
Indeed, love is forever, or at least, it should be. These words from the fox are indeed true. Love is lasting or should be, at least. Love gives hope. To become someone’s friend, one must first understand that person. And to understand someone, one must first tame that person. A friend is someone that is loved. That is ideal. When we have tamed something and become friends with it, it is expected that that friendship lasts for a lifetime.
Friendship
Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends any more.
The fox’s words to the little prince. Simple and filled with so much wisdom, this one is about friendship. It is capable of sending one into a bout of reflection.
Friends don’t come ready-made. Sometimes one has got to tame, in order to understand and then become friends. Friendship is built, and it doesn’t just sprout out of nowhere. Men seem not to be patient enough or patient all for things to take their natural course. They want good things, but they want them instant or quickly, like ready-made products. Friendships don’t work that way. If you cannot sit through the process, then you are not ready for what is to come. One is either all in or not.
FAQs
What is the first quote you took away from The Little Prince?
“Grown-ups never understand anything by themselves, and it is tiresome for children to be always and forever explaining things to them.” These young man’s words. Later on, we would go on to know why he thinks this way. Grown-ups are expected to be wise because it is assumed they are usually more experienced. Alas, this isn’t the reality. Why? Because grown-ups have their priorities upside down.
What quote do you consider the most powerful in the book?
“Men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all ready made at the shops. But there is no shop anywhere where one can buy friendship, and so men have no friends anymore.” The fox words. Apt. It is here that the little prince learns to appreciate what’s his much more. It is also here that he learns to be patient enough to understand creatures and creations, tame them, and then become friends with them. He learns that this is a process that has to be followed to achieve the best results.
How thought-provoking is The Little Prince?
If you’re looking for insightful quotes, the story of ‘The Little Prince‘ is just right for you. It is filled with remarkable quotes that would make one reflect. Almost every page has a remarkable quote. Most of the quotes expose the irony of adulthood, how in reality, children understand better and have their priorities set right. The grown-ups think that they know what the matters of consequence are, but ironically it is the children who do. ‘The Little Prince‘ is very thought-provoking.
What are most of the quotes in The Little Prince focused on?
Most quotes in ‘The Little Prince‘ are focused on prioritizing what should be prioritized, not shells or frivolities, like most grown-ups do, sadly. Grown-ups are exposed for not knowing as they should, and children are portrayed as the ones who actually know. A lot of quotes therein also focus on friendship. However, these are all connected. Summarised, most of the quotes are focused on prioritizing right and not upside down like most grown-ups do.
