Quotes from Brian Herbert

Select your battles carefully. Ultimately, victory and defeat are a matter of your own careful—or reckless—choices. —TLALOC, Weaknesses of the Empire

Humans tried to develop intelligent machines as secondary reflex systems, turning over primary decisions to mechanical servants. Gradually, though, the creators did not leave enough to do for themselves; they began to feel alienated, dehumanized, and even manipulated. Eventually humans became little more than decisionless robots themselves, left without an understanding of their natural existence.

Following two generations of chaos, when mankind finally overcame the insidious control of machines, a new concept emerged: "Man may not be replaced." Precepts of the Butlerian Jihad

Each life has numerous crossroads, paths taken and paths avoided. After each such crux-point, one should examine the thought processes that went into the significant decisions, the opportunities grasped, the successes and failures. The same is true with personal relationships. All important things in life can be distilled down to personal relationships. —Old Earth philosopher (name unknown)

House Atreides values loyalty and honor far above politics.

Giving the latest technology and weaponry to your military forces might seem to be enough to overwhelm the enemy, but unless you bring mental firepower to the fight, it could all be for naught. —a general of Old Earth

The unexpected is not always a surprise. —Mentat observation

The path to human advancement relies upon discovery, and great discoveries often entail great risks. —the Azhar Book

the long history of our House, we have been constantly shadowed by Misfortune, as if we were its prey. One might almost believe the curse of Atreus from ancient Greek times on Old Terra.

In desperation we may agree to pay any price. Only later do we learn the true cost. —MENTAT PEARTEN, new Lampadas school archives

Despite their biological flaws, human beings continue to see things that our most sophisticated sensors cannot detect, and they understand strange concepts that gelcircuitry minds cannot comprehend. It is no surprise, then, that so many of them go insane. —Erasmus Dialogues

I must not fear,' Ã¢â'¬Â she intoned, her eyes closed. " Ã¢â'¬ËœFear 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.' Ã¢â'¬Â It

Anirul stiffened. "My future husband—and even the Golden Lion Throne itself—are secondary to our breeding program." "Of course you're right." Margot nodded in resignation, as if shocked at her own gaffe. "But how should we proceed?" "We begin with a message to Leto.

Truth is a chameleon.

Beware the seeds you sow and the crops you reap. Do not curse God for the punishment you inflict upon yourself. —Orange Catholic Bible

For long lifetimes marked by the hulks of ruined planets, man was a geological and ecological force without knowing it, with little awareness of his own strength. — PARDOT KYNES, The Long

I am but a pawn on the Imperial chessboard.

Hatred is as dangerous an emotion as love. The capacity for either one is the capacity for its opposite.

In a Trial by Forfeiture, the normal rules of evidence do not apply. There are no disclosure requirements that evidence be revealed to the opposition or to the magistrates prior to the court proceedings. This places the person with secret knowledge in a uniquely powerful position—commensurate with the extreme risk he takes.

Those who have everything value nothing. Those who have nothing value everything. —RAQUELLA BERTO-ANIRUL, Assessments of Philosophical Revelations

Rigorously independent, the Fremen did not consider themselves true Imperial subjects. They viewed the Harkonnens as interlopers, temporary occupants who would be cast aside one day, in favor of another ruling House. In time, the Fremen themselves would rule here. Their legends foretold this.

La pregunta definitiva: ¿por qué existe la vida? La respuesta: por el puro placer de vivir.

Since instantaneous foldspace communication did not exist between planets, certified and bonded Couriers booked passage on express Heighliners, bearing flash-memorized communications for personal delivery to the intended recipients. The net result was much faster than radio or other electronic signals that would take years to cross vast space.

have not yet made it apparent, my Duke, I give you my utmost loyalty and renew my pledge to House Atreides. I will do everything I can to assist and advise you." Then his expression hardened. "But you must understand that all decisions are yours and yours alone. My advice may contradict Prince Rhombur's or your mother's, or that of any other advisors you choose. You must decide in each case. You are the Duke. You are House Atreides.