Ahead of time Quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
““Respect for humanity! Respect for humanity! If such respect is rooted in the human heart, humanity will eventually establish a social, political, or economic system that reflects it. A civilization is before all else rooted in its substance. At first this was a blind urge for warmth. Then by trial and error man found the way to the fire. That is probably why, my friend, I have such need of your friendship. I need a companion who - beyond the struggles of reason - respects in me the pilgrim on his way to that fire. I sometimes need to feel the promised warmth ahead of time and to rest somewhere beyond myself in that meeting place that will be ours. [...] Beyond the clumsiness of my words, beyond my defective reasoning, you are ready to see me as a human being. You are ready to honor in me the representative of beliefs, customs, loves. If I differ from you, far from wronging you, I enrich you. You question me as you would a traveler.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Little Prince, 1943
True respect for humanity arises from inner warmth and shared humanity, fostering systems that reflect that virtue.
In simple terms: Respect comes from inner warmth and shared humanity.
Cultivate inner warmth and respect.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- building trust
- teamwork
- conflict resolution
- leadership
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we nurture genuine respect in institutions?
- What challenges arise when warmth meets reason?
Idealistic; may ignore practical constraints.