3 Great Dune Quotes – He Who Controls the Spice
Here are 3 great Dune quotes from Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel “Dune”.
First, let’s state the obvious. “Dune” is the best science fiction novel ever written. The world of dune is easy to get lost in. Herbert had a remarkable imagination to create the world of Dune with such detail and fullness.
And remember that the entirety of the Dune world, all of the books, was written by one man. Unlike Star Trek, that was written by multiple authors.
Unfortunately, the complexity of the Dune Universe does not adapt well to the movie screen. Maybe it’s for the best. As a good novel inspires the imagination much more than a movie or TV show ever could. That would make a good essay topic. Why some novels don’t translate into good movies.
Dune Quotes
The best known of the Dune quotes is the fear is the mind killer quote. It is a quote by Paul Atreides and is used as a type of litany by the Bene Gesserit. Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica, teaches it to Paul in preparation for the Gom Jabbar. The full quote is:
“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 thinks this as a way to calm himself before he becomes Maud Dib. The fear is the mind killer quote really shows how well Paul has been trained to control himself and his emotions.
He Who Controls the Spice Controls the Universe
The world of Dune is controlled by the spice melange and spice melange trade. It’s the most powerful economic force in the universe.
The full quote is spoken by Baron Harkonnen. “He who controls the Spice Controls the Universe”.
Deep in the Human Unconscious
“Deep in the human unconscious is a pervasive need for a logical universe that makes sense. But the real universe is always one step beyond logic.” –
- from The Sayings of Muad’Dib by the Princess Irulan
This is actually from the 3rd book “Children of Dune”, 1976.
I love this quote because it shows a deep understanding of human nature, wrapped up in a sci-fi novel.
It’s Shocking To Believe Quote
And – “It’s shocking to find how many people do not believe they can learn, and how many more believe learning to be difficult.”
Did Herbert really say this line – in a novel. Yep, and it sort of reminds me of a few people I know.
Here’s a quote by Reverend Mother Mohiam.
“Let us say, I suggest you may be human. Your awareness may be powerful enough to control your instincts. Your instinct will be to remove your hand from the box. If you do so, you die.”
A Reality to Experience.
“The mystery of life isn’t a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
Photo by mliu92