“Dune” uses many quotes that explore multiple concepts like leadership, fear, politics and religious control, the power of the human mind, and the dangers of greatness.
Fear
I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.
Paul Atreides Book One: Dune – Chapter 1
Context: Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohaim tests Paul Atreides with a Gom Jabbar.
What the Quote Means: The statement is a reaffirmation against fear. Paul states it to show his desire not to dread dying.
Why It Was Said: When Paul faced the Reverend Mother, he went through a test that fed pain directly into his nerves. If he failed, he would have died.
Significance: As with every heroic story, the element of bravery persists even in the face of overwhelming fear and discouragement. Paul Atreides had to fight the fear that could have clouded his ideology for changing the universe, and only by showing courage was he able to fulfill his goals. Frank Herbert used the quote above to tell the reader that fear starts from the mind, and the only way to fight that fear is to face it head-on and overcome it.
Religion and Politics
When religion and politics travel in the same cart, the riders believe nothing can stand in their way. Their movements become headlong – faster and faster and faster. They put aside all thoughts of obstacles and forget the precipice does not show itself to the man in a blind rush until it’s too late.
Lady Jessica Book Three: The Prophet – Chapter 3
Context: Lady Jessica makes the statement while scared of Paul becoming the Fremen Messiah.
What the Quote Means: The quote explains the depth of religious brainwashing and states how people believe they are invincible when promised a savior.
Why It Was Said: Jessica made the statement because she knew being a messiah was hard. Paul told her that religion was simple, but she knew it was not.
Significance: Frank Herbert centered “Dune” around the pervasiveness of politics and religion. Politics played a crucial role in power dissemination across the universe. The quote above shows Herbert’s view on how religion and politics are tools for domination.
The Power of the Human Mind
The mind can go either direction under stress—toward positive or toward negative: on or off. Think of it as a spectrum whose extremes are unconsciousness at the negative end and hyperconsciousness at the positive end. The way the mind will lean under stress is strongly influenced by training.
A Bene Gesserit Axiom Book Two: Muad’Dib – Chapter 6
Context: Jessica remembers a Bene Gesserit axiom about the duality of the mind here.
What the Quote Means: The statement explains that the power of good and evil resides in the mind, and what would determine the outcomes of one’s decision rests on their control.
Why Was It Said: Jessica reminisced about her time under the Bene Gesserit in the scene. She knew the dangers that awaited her and Paul on Arrakis and wondered if the harshness would change them for the worse.
Significance: Frank Herbert uses the quote above to explore the nature of how the human mind operates. He explains that when faced with a problem, the human mind can become a tool for positivity or negativity. In the novel, Paul could have made bad decisions that would have prevented him from succeeding in his plans to take down the Padishah Empire, but he looked toward a future where he won. His positivity, coupled with his superpowers, made a crucial impact on his victory over his enemies.
The mind commands the body and it obeys. The mind orders itself and meets resistance.
St. Augustine Book Once: Dune – Chapter 7
Context: Jessica remembers a quote about the power of the mind by St. Augustine.
What the Quote Means: The statement explains the mind can be its enemy.
Why It Was Said: When Jessica landed on Arrakis, she proudly told the Shadeout Mapes that she was Leto’s only woman; this made her remember the quote about how the mind can doom itself with pride.
Significance: Herbert uses the quote above to show that humanity’s greatest enemy is humanity. The mind can be a powerful tool for success. However, Frank Herbert says that when there is doubt, progress becomes limited.
The Danger of Greatness
Greatness is a transitory experience. It is never consistent. It depends in part upon the myth-making imagination of humankind. The person who experiences greatness must have a feeling for the myth he is in. He must reflect what is projected upon him. And he must have a strong sense of the sardonic. This is what uncouples him from belief in his own pretensions. The sardonic is all that permits him to move within himself. Without this quality, even occasional greatness will destroy a man.
Collected Sayings of Muad’Dib by Princess Irulan Book One: Dune – Chapter 16
Context: This is a quote from Paul Atreides recorded by his wife, Princess Irulan.
What the Quote Means: The statement explains how greatness can become a prison that destroys a person.
Why It Was Made: Paul made the statement after he likely became the Emperor. He must have reminisced on the path he took to greatness.
Significance: The ideology of greatness is a concept that leads many people to live a disastrous life. Frank explains that though we value being great, it is nothing but a conceptualization of the necessity for power. It is a drug that can destroy its craver and leave them empty.
The Future
Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.
Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohaim Book One: Dune – Chapter 1
Context: Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohaim makes the statement above when he asks why she tests for humans.
What the Quote Means: The statement is about “Dune’s” past. It talks about a time when humanity relied on intelligent computers.
Why It Was Said: Reverend Mother Helen Made this statement to explain that her test was to ensure Paul’s mind was free.
Significance: Frank Herbert warns that the machines humanity trusts may be what leads to its end.“‘Dune” talks about the distant future when humanity almost gets destroyed by machines but manages to survive and become interplanetary. Frank passes a message through the statement above, saying there is a chance humanity’s future will be bleak. He explains that the fault for such a future will be other humans using machines to cause harm.
The Value of A Great Leader
Grave this on your memory, lad: A world is supported by four things…’ she held up four big-knuckled fingers. ‘…the learning of the wise, the justice of the great, the prayers of the righteous and the valor of the brave. But all of these things are as nothing…’ She closed her fingers into a fist. ‘…without a ruler who knows the art of ruling. Make that the science of your tradition!
Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohaim Book One: Dune – Chapter 4
Context: Reverend Mother Gaius makes the statement above to Paul.
What the Quote Means: The statement explains the value of a great and just leader.
Why It Was Said: The Reverend Mother advises Paul to strive to be a just leader who can easily handle problems.
Significance: The quote above explains that a leader is the difference between success or failure and progress or hardship. Leaders are the spear that drives change. Frank Herbert showed the power a leader with the ability to attract people holds. Paul became a great leader for the Fremen, a group of people with little chance of conquering the injustice perpetrated on them.
The willow submits to the wind and prospers until one day it is many willows — a wall against the wind. This is the willow’s purpose.
Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohaim Book One: Dune – Chapter 3
Context: the Reverend Mother hints that Paul may be the Kwisatz Haderach.
What the Quote Means: It explains that a small force could grow to become something mighty.
Why It Was Said: The Reverend Mother hinted that Paul could become a mighty force with enough training.
Significance: Before he became the Kwisatz Haderach, the Reverend Mother told Paul about submission and control. She explained that if he freed his mind, he could become a man of greatness, implying he could be the chosen one.
And Kynes, returning the stare, found himself troubled by a fact he had observed here: This Duke was concerned more over the men that he was over the spice. He risked his own life and that of his son to save the men. He passed off the loss of a spice crawler with a gesture. The threat to men’s lives had him in a rage. A leader such as that would command fanatic loyalty.
Frank Herbert Book One: Dune – Chapter 16
Context: Kynes discovers that Leto Atreides is a kind leader.
What the Quote Means: It talks about the power a caring leader can command.
Why It Was Said: Kynes thought of Leto’s incredible care for his men and knew he was a great leader with such a heart.
Significance: “Dune” focused on Paul Atreides and his rise to power while ignoring the one man who would have been the perfect Emperor: Leto Atreides. Leto was a caring father and leader who feared for the lives of his men; this made the soldiers of House Atreides fiercely loyal to him, as they knew their commander cared for their wellbeing.
Once you’ve given orders on a subject, you must always give orders on that subject.
Paul’s Memories Book Three: The Prophet – Chapter 3
Context: Paul remembers the words of his father, Leto Atreides.
What the Quote Means: It means a leader must learn to speak little because their words are powerful.
Why It Was Said: Paul remembered his father’s teaching on leadership as he was also leading his Fedaykin.
Significance: A leader is not someone who orders people around. They are a person who knows when to act and when not to. Leto was a great leader who understood how orders could be the difference between war and peace. He advised his son to make decisions carefully. However, Paul would make a single order that resulted in massive bloodshed.
The Struggle Never Ends
What has mood to do with it? You fight when the necessity arises—no matter the mood! Mood’s a thing for cattle or making love or playing the baliset. It’s not for fighting.
Gurney Halleck Book One: Dune – Chapter 12
Context: Gurney Halleck scolds Paul, telling him war does not rely on mood.
What the Quote Means: The statement explains how struggling for survival in battle never ends.
Why It Was Said: Gurney made the statement angry at Paul’s words about not being in the mood to fight. He tells him that war and struggle do not care about one’s mood.
Significance: The quote above describes what it means to fight for what one wants. Paul thought a person had to be interested and willing to fight. However, Gurney explained that the fighting never ends, the struggle never stops, and to be a winner, one has to fight every single step of the way.
This in the hand of an enemy can let out your life’s blood! You’re an apt pupil, none better, but I’ve warned you that not even in play do you let a man inside your guard with death in his hand.
Gurney Halleck Book One: Dune – Chapter 12
Context: Gurney warns Paul about letting his guard down.
What the Quote Means: It explains that letting one’s guard down could be the mistake that costs their life.
Why It Was Said: Gurney scolded Paul for being sloppy.
Significance: Living through life is about struggling and fighting the pain. The quote explains that when fighting for one’s goal, slacking is a dangerous mistake that leads to downfall.
Hope Solves Nothing
Hope clouds observation.
Lady Jessica Book One: Dune – Chapter 4
Context: Jessica anxiously waits while Reverend Mother Helen tests Paul.
What the Quote Means: It explains the futility of continuous hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
Why It Was Said: Jessica was scared that Paul may not be the Chosen One. If her fears were true, he would die.
Significance: Hope is a powerful tool that can lead to a positive change, but in the story of “Dune,” Frank Herbert describes why hope does not always lead to change. In Herbert’s opinion, hope creates an illusion for those who place entire belief in it, leading to a lack of consideration for reality.
Learning
Muad’Dib learned rapidly because his first training was in how to learn. And the first lesson of all was the basic trust that he could learn. It’s shocking to find how many people do not believe they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult. Muad’Dib knew that every experience carries its lesson.
Princess Irulan in The Humanity of Muad’Dib Book One: Dune – Chapter 8
Context: Princess Irulan talks about Paul’s exceptional desire to learn.
What the Quote Means: It explains that learning is not difficult and that seeking knowledge should be the norm.
Why It Was Said: Irulan makes this statement, talking about how Paul quickly learned the needs of Arrakis. She stated that his learning abilities gave him a superior mind over others.
Significance: The quote above talks about ignorance concerning learning. We believe specific education fields to be hard, but Frank Herbert speaks otherwise. In “Dune,” He tells the reader that willpower is the only thing needed to learn.
A Broken Childhood
You have read that Muad’Dib had no playmates his own age on Caladan. The dangers were too great. But Muad’Dib did have wonderful companion-teachers. There was Gurney Halleck, the troubadour-warrior. You will sing some of Gurney’s songs, as you read along in this book. There was Thufir Hawat, the old Mentat Master of Assassins, who struck fear even into the heart of the Padishah Emperor. There were Duncan Idaho, the Swordmaster of the Ginaz; Dr. Wellington Yueh, a name black in treachery but bright in knowledge; the Lady Jessica, who guided her son in the Bene Gesserit Way, and – of course – the Duke Leto, whose qualities as a father have long been overlooked.
Princess Irulan in a Child’s History of Muad’Dib Book One: Dune – Chapter 4
Context: Princess Irulan talks about Paul’s childhood.
What the Quote Means: It talks about Paul’s upbringing and his lack of friends his age.
Why It Was Said: Princess Irulan explains how Paul’s teachers cultivated his maturity and skills.
Significance: Though Irulan talked about Paul’s training, no one admitted he had a restricted life that ultimately affected his interactions with others. For all the talk of domination and control, Paul never had friends his age he could relate with; this eventually made him feel imprisoned and robbed him of a childhood.
