The Profound Wisdom of the Fox in The Little Prince A Lesson on Love, Friendship, and the Invisible Bonds That Matter
Discover the deep meaning behind the fox’s famous lesson in The Little Prince: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” What this pivotal moment teaches us about the power of love, friendship, and the invisible bonds that truly matter in life.
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” – Le Petit Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Prompt: why was the fox telling the little prince this?
Response:
The fox tells the Little Prince this profound message during a pivotal moment in “The Little Prince.” The fox wishes to be tamed by the Little Prince, meaning he wants to form a meaningful, unique relationship with him. In the process of taming, the fox explains that once they have formed a bond, they will become special to each other in a way that transcends physical appearances or material things.
The full context is that the Little Prince, who comes from a small planet and has left behind a rose that he loves, meets the fox on Earth. The fox teaches him that the act of taming creates bonds of love and responsibility, making someone or something essential to the heart. This is when the fox shares the famous insight:
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
The fox’s lesson helps the Little Prince understand that his relationship with his rose is unique and precious because of the time and care he has devoted to her. The fox’s wisdom encourages the Little Prince to appreciate the intangible, emotional connections that give life meaning, emphasizing that the most important things in life—like love, friendship, and loyalty—are not visible but felt with the heart.
Love in a Relationship
A valuable social network presents itself in the heart, not the material world. Count your friends around you, your real friends. Can you even differentiate? Do you know who they are? Which of your relationships with your loved ones are truly build on love? Which are built on bonds? Which are built on material things? The most common indicator is fragility. A common thread amongst those are perceived to have social wealth is that once hardship hits, their social network instantly turn from hero to zero.
It’s an uncomfortable notion, an uneasy question to ask yourself. To count your real friends. Sometimes it’s very easy to know. Sometimes you’ve known for quite a while that your closest friends and allies are not worthwhile. Sure, we focus on lessons from key spiritual texts, but it isn’t only scripture that can teach us how to be human.
Classics like ‘Le Petit Prince’ can have a profound impact on us. The fox’s message is more relevant today than ever. With everyone seemingly chasing material things, matters of the heart are neglected, not given a second thought.
We shouldn’t wait for a Netflix Special to reevaluate our relationships and lives. Building lasting networks of value is not just about social wealth, it ought to be a spiritual goal.
