Friendship Quote by Antoine de Saint Exupéry
““Grown-ups love figures. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essentail matters. They never say to you, “What does his voice sound like? What games does he love best? Does he collect butterflies?” Instead, they demand: “How old is he? How many brothers has he? How much does he weigh? How much money does his father make?” Only from these figures do they think they have learned anything about him. If you were to say to the grown-ups: “I saw a beautiful house made of rosy brick, with geraniums in the windows and doves on the roof,” they would not be able to get an idea of that house at all. You have have to say to them: “I saw a house that cost $20,000.” Then they would exclaim: “Oh, what a pretty house that is!””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry, 1943
Adults focus on quantitative data, missing the qualitative essence that truly defines people and experiences.
In simple terms: Adults count facts, not feelings.
Key Takeaway
Seek depth beyond numbers.
Themes
relationships
communication
perception
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- parenting
- education
- friendship
- design
- marketing
Key Concepts
qualitative insight
human connection
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ask deeper questions about someone?
- What details reveal a person’s true character?
A Different Perspective
Numbers cannot capture the full story of a person or place.
