Published after the author's death and left unfinished, this long work is a collection of reflections, parables and sayings. It is voiced by a desert ruler, a kind of king and father, who speaks to his people and to his son about leadership, duty, faith, time and the building of a lasting civilisation. The tone is meditative and often biblical. Saint-Exupéry worked on it for years, and it is regarded as the fullest statement of his philosophy, though it is more demanding than his famous shorter books.
Quotes
Your task is not to foresee the future, but to enable it.
Confuse not love with the ravings of possession, which bring the worst sufferings. For contrary to the general opinion, love does not cause suffering. But the instinct of ownership causes suffering, which is the contrary of love.
A civilization is built on what is required of men, not on that which is provided for them.