Written in 1965 by Frank Herbert, Dune explores the interplay of powerful social, political and economic forces on a futuristic neo-feudal society. In a modern context, it’s similar to Game of Thrones with the perspective firmly fixed on a handful of warring families. What makes the novel fascinating is it’s take on modern warfare, religion and power.
Notable Quotes:
“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.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune“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.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune“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.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune“Governments, if they endure, always tend increasingly toward aristocratic forms. No government in history has been known to evade this pattern. And as the aristocracy develops, government tends more and more to act exclusively in the interests of the ruling class - whether that class be hereditary royalty, oligarchs of financial empires, or entrenched bureaucracy.
- Politics as Repeat Phenomenon: Bene Gesserit Training Manual”
― Frank Herbert, Children of Dune“Nature does not make mistakes. Right and wrong are human categories.”
― Frank Herbert“Seek freedom and become captive of your desires. Seek discipline and find your liberty.”
― Frank Herbert, Chapterhouse: Dune“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.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune“The mystery of life isn't a problem to solve, but a reality to experience.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune“What do you despise? By this are you truly known.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune“Belief can be manipulated. Only knowledge is dangerous.”
― Frank Herbert“Truth suffers from too much analysis.
-Ancient Fremen Saying”
― Frank Herbert, Dune Messiah