The journey of Saint-Exupéry is back towards his starting point. We cherish secure happiness, the happiness of childhood, but discover that we must leave childhood whether we want to do so or not. We are therefore launched into Valéry's 'ère successive', where salvation is to be found in action.

Contemporary French Philosophy (Routledge Revivals): A Study in Norms and Values (Taylor & Francis, Sep 20, 2010), p. 153