Long time Quote by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
““The little Pprince looked at the snake for a long time. "You're a funny little creature," he said at last, "no thicker than a finger." But I'm more powerful than a king's finger," the snake said. The little Prince smiled. "You're not very powerful. . . You don't even have feet, You can't travel very far." I can take you further than a ship," the snake said. He coiled around the prince's ankle, like a golden bracelet. "Anyone I touch, I send back to the land from which he came," the snake went on. "But you're innocent, and you come from a star. . . " The little prince made no reply. "I feel sorry for you, being so weak on this granite earth," said the snake. "I can help you, someday, if you grow too homesick for your planet, I can---" "Oh I understand just what you mean," said the little primce,"but why do you always speak in riddles?" "I solve them all.," said the snake. And then were both silent.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Little Prince, 1943
The snake offers deceptive aid, highlighting the tension between power and vulnerability.
In simple terms: Powerful but fragile beings can be both helpers and threats.
Key Takeaway
Beware of offers that seem generous but hide hidden costs.
Themes
power
vulnerability
trust
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
literary
When to use this quote
- travel
- loneliness
- seeking guidance
Key Concepts
deception
dependency
existential paradox
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you accept from a source you distrust?
- How do you balance need for help with fear of exploitation?
A Different Perspective
The snake’s motives are ambiguous, making its help uncertain.
