'Now here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with one's heart that one can see clearly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.'

'What is essential is invisible to the eye,' the little prince repeated, so as to be sure to remember.

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

'Where are the men?' said the little prince, at least, resuming the conversation.

'One feels rather lonely in the desert.'

'It is just as lonely among men,' said the snake.

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

'What does "admire: mean?'

'To admire means that you consider me the handsomest, the best dressed, the richest and the most intelligent man on this planet.'

'But you are all alone on your planet!'

'Do me this kindness. Admire me all the same!'

'I admire you,' said the little prince with a slight shrug of his shoulders, 'but why should that mean so much to you?'

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

'If I were to order a general to fly from one flower to another like a butterfly, or to write a tragedy, or to change himself into a sea-bird, and if the general did not carry out the order, which one of us would be at fault?'

'It would be you,' said the little prince firmly.

'Exactly. One must demand of each and every one what he or she is capable of. Authority is first and foremost based on reason. If you order your people to throw themselves into the sea, you will have a revolution on your hands. I have a right to demand obedience because my orders are reasonable ones.

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

'I know of a planet where there is a red-faced gentleman. He has never smelled a flower. He has never looked at a star. He has never loved anybody. He has spent all his time adding up figures. And, all day, he keeps on repeating, like you: "I'm busy with serious matters. I'm busy with serious matters," over and over again. And he swells up with pride. But he is not a man, he is a mushroom.'

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Grown-ups love figures. When you talk to them about a new friend, they never ask questions about essential matters. They never say to you: 'What does his voice sound like? What games does he prefer? Does he collect butterflies?' They ask you: 'How old is he? How many brothers does he have? How much does he weigh? How much does his father earn? It is only then that they feel they know him.

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

I have spent a lot of time with grown-ups. I have seen them at very close quarters which I'm afraid has not greatly enhanced my opinion of them.

Le Petit Prince ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupéry