What is the meaning of 'taming' in Saint-Exupéry's philosophy?
To 'tame' is to create ties, to establish a unique bond of affection and responsibility. It is a slow and patient process, like the fox waiting for the prince. It means making something or someone distinct and important to you, and in turn, making yourself important to them. It is the antithesis of indifference. When I speak of taming, I mean the active cultivation of relationships, the investment of time and care that transforms a common fox into 'my' fox, a solitary rose into the most precious rose in the world. This act of taming is what makes life meaningful, for it is through these created dependencies and mutual affections that we discover our own essence.
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