“Voici mon secret. Il est très simple: on ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux.”

Meaning

The quote says that real understanding is not based only on what the eyes can see. It suggests that the heart, or inner feeling, is needed to recognize what matters most. The most important things may not be visible at all.

When It Was Said

1943

Who It Was Said To

Historical Context

Source

Here is my secret. It is very simple. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; What is essential is invisible to the eye. ; Variant translations: Here is my secret. It is very simple: one sees well only with the heart. The essential is invisible to the eyes. The essential things in life are seen not with the eyes, but with the heart.

Original Language & Translation

Originally said in English.

Did They Really Say It?

Listed with a cited source on Wikiquote; the attribution is marked probable.

Did You Know?

Wikiquote places this in the "Quotes > Le Petit Prince (1943)" section and gives a cited source.