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.” Explore how this pivotal moment teaches us about the power of love, friendship, and the invisible bonds that truly matter in life.
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.
