Quotes

One of my favorite novels and certainly my favorite science fiction novel is Frank Herbert's Dune. I highly recommend it and will probably blog about it here and there as I travel through it again. Herbert's writing style is captivating, his imagination is immense, and his characters and inventions are unforgettable. Here are a few quotes from the beginnings of the book as the Atreides family leaves their home planet, Caladan, to take control of the treasured but deadly spice producing planet, Arrakis.

"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 passed, I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain." - p.8, Paul Atreides

"A world is supported by four things... 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 are as nothing without a ruler who knows the art of ruling." - p.30, the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam

"You must teach me someday how you do that," he said, "the way you thrust your worries aside and turn to practical matters. It must be a Bene Gesserit thing." "It's a female thing," she said. - p. 51, Duke Leto Atreides and the Lady Jessica

Commenting on the desire of the Pharisees to practice their righteousness before men in order to be seen by them...

"Few things feel more gratifying to the heart of fallen man than being made much of for our accomplishments, especially our moral and religious accomplishments."

- John Piper, A Hunger for God p. 70