Important Quotations Explained
1. But
he would always answer, “That's a hat.” Then I wouldn't talk about
boa constrictors or jungles or stars. I would put myself on his
level and talk about bridge and golf and politics and neckties.
And my grown-up was glad to know such a reasonable person.
2. If
some one loves a flower of which just one example exists among all
the millions and millions of stars, that's enough to make him happy
when he looks at the stars. He tells himself, “My flower's up there
somewhere. . . .” But if the sheep eats the flower, then for him
it's as if, suddenly, all the stars went out. And that isn't important?
3. “Goodbye,”
said the fox. “Here is my secret. It's quite simple: One sees clearly
only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.
. . . It's the time that you spent on your rose that makes your
rose so important. . . . People have forgotten this truth,” the
fox said, “But you mustn't forget it. You become responsible for
what you've tamed. You're responsible for your rose. . . .”
4. I
was surprised by suddenly understanding that mysterious radiance
of the sands. When I was a little boy I lived in an old house, and
there was a legend that a treasure was buried in it somewhere. Of
course, no one was ever able to find the treasure, perhaps no one
even searched. But it cast a spell over the whole house.
5. Look
up at the sky. Ask yourself, “Has the sheep eaten the flower or
not?” And you'll see how everything changes. . . . And no grown-up
will ever understand how such a thing could be so important!
