But certainly, for us who understand life, figures are a matter of indifference. I should have liked to begin this story in the fashion of the fairy-tales. I should have like to say: "Once upon a time there was a little prince who lived on a planet that was scarcely any bigger than himself, and who had need of a sheep..."To those who understand life, that would have given a much greater air of truth to my story.
他们就是如许的。必然不要因为如许去进犯他们，小孩子们对大人们应当刻薄些。
For I do not want any one to read my book carelessly. I have suffered too much grief in setting down these memories. Six years have already passed since my friend went away from me, with his sheep. If I try to describe him here, it is to make sure that I shall not forget him. To forget a friend is sad. Not every one has had a friend. And if I forget him, I may become like the grown-ups who are no longer interested in anything but figures...
If I have told you these details about the asteroid, and made a note of its number for you, it is on account of the grown-ups and their ways. When you tell them that you have made a new friend, they never ask you any questions about essential matters.
就像如许，如果你对他们说：“小王子存在的证据就是他非常标致，他笑着，想要一只羊。如果有人想要一只绵羊，那就是他存在的证明。”如许奉告他们的成果是甚么呢？他们必然会耸耸肩膀，不觉得然，把你当作小孩子对待。但是，如果你对他们说“小王子来自的星球就是小行星B-612”，那么他们就非常佩服，就不会提出一大堆题目来和你胶葛。