The Little Prince: Six Essential Lessons
Published 76 years ago, The Little Prince is one of those works of literature that has not only stood the test of time, but is also among the upper echelon of classic favorites today. Even though it’s considered a work of children’s literature, oftentimes kids and young people fail to understand the meaning underlying the story’s surface.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when reading are the lessons and values a book has to offer. As such, in this article we’ll be taking a look at some of the most important lessons found in The Little Prince.
Hopefully, this will make it easier for the adults to play a role in relating the story’s core lessons to the young people in their lives.
Lessons from The Little Prince
1. “What is essential is invisible to the eye”
One of the most notable and meaningful quotes from The Little Prince reads as follows. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”
With this sentence, author Antoine de Saint-Euxpéry is telling us that people’s appearances aren’t what’s important. Rather, we need to get to know people’s inner selves and work to eliminate any prejudices we may have.
Another layer of meaning in this quote is that the truly important things in life can’t be bought with money. Love, respect, and friendship are the values that really matter in people’s lives, not material things.
2. Discovering new things
Getting out of your comfort zone and discovering new sensations and experiences is something that everyone should do. If you never leave your comfort zone, you lose yourself and avoid the things, both good and bad, that life has to offer. At the end of the day, it’s these kinds of experiences that help us learn life’s most valuable lessons.
3. The importance of friendship
One of the book’s standout chapters concerns The Little Prince and the fox, who establish a true friendship. Through the affection they share, the author seeks to highlight the importance of having good friends in your life, but more importantly, how vital it is to cultivate and maintain this kind of relationship.
Furthermore, the author wants to emphasize the need to dedicate time to the people we truly care about. This is the only way to create friendships that are truly meaningful to both parties.
More lessons from The Little Prince
4. Chase your dreams and get better every day
One of the most important ideas in the book is the following. “It is madness to hate all roses because you got scratched with one thorn. To give up on your dreams because one didn’t come true.”
What the author is trying to say here is that despite the obstacles and difficulties we face in life, we can’t give up. We need to keep striving for what we want most until we get it.
5. The importance of knowing yourself is one of the most essential lessons in The Little Prince
Before showing love to others, and before knowing and judging the people around us, we must first know ourselves.
Only in this way will we be able to know what we’re capable of. In addition to knowing one’s limits, it’s fundamental to be able to take an honest look at oneself before criticizing others. This kind of self-knowledge is what allows our minds and hearts to exist in peace and harmony with the world.
6. You only live once
The most consistent message throughout The Little Prince is the importance of maintaining a childlike quality even as you inevitably grow older. Despite all the difficulties one encounters in adult life, it’s essential to be able to have moments to enjoy yourself and simply live.