Air Quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“Sitting in the flickering light of the candles on this kerchief of sand, on this village square, we waited in the night. We were waiting for the rescuing dawn - or for the Moors. Something, I know not what, lent this night a savor of Christmas. We told stories, we joked, we sang songs. In the air there was that slight fever that reigns over a gaily prepared feast. And yet we were infinitely poor. Wind, sand, and stars. The austerity of Trappists. But on this badly lighted cloth, a handful of men who possessed nothing in the world but their memories were sharing invisible riches.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery, 1943
People find profound richness in shared stories and memories even amid poverty and uncertainty.
In simple terms: Stories give wealth when material things lack.
Key Takeaway
Value community and storytelling.
Themes
friendship
memory
poverty
hope
community
Mood
nostalgic
reflective
hopeful
Type
literary
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- campfire gatherings
- war zones
- refugee camps
- family reunions
- cultural festivals
Key Concepts
existentialism
human connection
spirituality
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you create meaning when resources are scarce?
- What role do stories play in your toughest moments?
A Different Perspective
The quote romanticizes hardship, overlooking the real suffering it can cause.
![“Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs [Less Developed Countries]?... I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to that... I’ve always…” quote by Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac4/lawrence-summers-16940_air_just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-wo_4703.jpg)
![“[A]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air. And be careful what you swallow.” quote by Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/da8/dr-seuss-1224_advice_a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-f_6806.jpg)
