国王说：“假定我号令一个将军像胡蝶那样在花丛中飞来飞去，或者号令他写作一部悲剧，或者变成一只海鸟，而这位将军接到号令不履行的话，那么，是谁的弊端呢？”
小王子问道：“统治这统统？”
国王翻阅了一本厚厚的日历，一边渐渐说道：“嗯！嗯！日落约莫……约莫……在今晚七时四非常的时候！你会看到我的号令被很好地获得从命的。”
"If Your Majesty wishes to be promptly obeyed," he said, "he should be able to give me a reasonable order. He should be able, for example, to order me to be gone by the end of one minute. It seems to me that conditions are favorable..."As the king made no answer, the little prince hesitated a moment. Then, with a sigh, he took his leave.
“如果国王陛下想要敏捷地获得从命，你能够给我下一个公道的号令。比如说，你能够号令我，一分钟以内必须分开。我以为这个前提是成熟的……”
"Minster of― of Justice!"
But the little prince, having now completed his preparations for departure, had no wish to grieve the old monarch.
国王没有答复。小王子有些犹疑不决，随后叹了口气，就分开了……“我委任你当我的大使。”国王仓猝地喊道。
“那么，星星都听话吗？”
"Sire― over what do you rule""Over everything," said the king, with magnificent simplicity.
小王子又打起哈欠来了。他遗憾没有看到日落，并且他开端感到有些无聊了。
"I have nothing more to do here," he said to the king. "So I shall set out on my way again.""Do not go," said the king, who was very proud of having a subject. "Do not go. I will make you a Minister!""Minister of what"