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May 7 - May 11, 2024
The person with the fewest accomplishments often boasts the loudest. —CHOAM Analysis of Public Imperial Histories
Since the end of the Butlerian Jihad ten thousand years ago, the Corrinos—who took their name after the Battle of Corrin—had ruled as the dominant dynasty.
History is a tool to be used, a weapon to be wielded.
The Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles, or the CHOAM Company, was a gigantic monopoly encompassing all forms of commerce across the Imperium. Their widespread business dealings were secretive and subtle, and most people in the Imperium never noticed the extent of their influence.
The ability to survive is the ability to face and overcome unexpected dangers. —Bene Gesserit axiom
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen had never considered himself fat, though others had called him that—at great personal risk, if he ever found out. He was a large man, a very large man, and sheer size implied power.
Upon entering the Emperor’s crowded reception, Leto felt like a combat animal turned loose in an arena, and this was not his sort of battle.
Do not hunger overmuch for attention. Subtle influence is a more potent key to power than a conspicuous display of wealth or bravado. Patience is a coin of great value. —MALINA ARU, Ur-Director of CHOAM, sealed letter to her children
Tupile had been the secret operational heart of CHOAM for generations, although the hidden world appeared neither on Imperial charts nor in Spacing Guild records.
During the riots following the release of the Orange Catholic Bible, members of the Council of Ecumenical Translators had fled for their lives, vanishing into the mystery of Tupile. Through centuries of careful and patient data purges, the Tupile worlds had been removed from star charts and records. Although no official Spacing Guild routes existed for Tupile, due to a long-standing secret agreement, the most senior Directors of CHOAM received confidential transport.
When does a student stop being a student, or is all of life a continuous lesson? —CHANI KYNES, comment to her father
The most important parenting skill is knowing when to exert control and when to let go. —LADY JESSICA
She was an important part of House Atreides, of Caladan. She was so much more than a concubine, a mother, or a Bene Gesserit Sister. Leto had left her in charge
Is the life of a king worth more than that of a peasant or thief? Is your own life worth more than that of a person of lower station? Such valuations can be used to determine whether actions are heroic, or cowardly. —EMPEROR FONDIL III, THE HUNTER, “Considerations for Imperial Bias”
A news report is based on fact, fiction, or a combination of the two, and is presented from a certain angle. Truth belongs to those who control that perspective. —COUNT HASIMIR FENRING
There are few more terrible times in life than when a son faces the reality of his father’s death. —DUKE LETO ATREIDES, introduction to the authorized biography of Duke Paulus Atreides
In his developmental years, many people said of Paul Atreides that he was destined for greatness. —Imperial histories
Suspicions have a way of becoming “facts,” even if they have no basis in truth. —PRINCESS IRULAN, The Book of Muad’Dib
Through fervent beliefs and secret revelations that are denied to others, religions can easily be manipulated. They can also act as a stabilizing influence by creating a community united by a bond of beliefs. —Bene Gesserit internal document, “Analysis of Uncontaminated Religions”
Euphoria can be produced through a variety of means—emotional, educational, religious, or chemical. —Suk Doctor Handbook
“The Butlerian Jihad snuffed out our drive to know all the answers. Long ago, with that unbridled curiosity, we created thinking machines that enslaved the human race. Brash overextension of science with no consideration of consequences led to the Time of Titans, the creation of the cymeks, and so many centuries of oppression.” He pursed his lips. “Maybe it is better that we don’t look everywhere or answer every question.”
We don’t even know much about the spice from Arrakis, which is one of the most important substances in the Imperium. The Spacing Guild needs it for their Navigators, and many nobles are addicted to it. Think of how many would die if their supply were suddenly withdrawn? And yet we know very little about the substance and where it comes from on Arrakis. With the Emperor’s new spice surtax, melange has grown much more expensive, causing hardships.”
Freedom of choice implies that one is willing to make a given choice. But what if every option is disastrous? Is it better to make no choice at all, or to choose and then face the consequences, whatever they may be? —The Mentat’s Handbook, “The Paradox of Leadership
No matter how compelling the argument, an evil justification is still evil. —DUKE PAULUS ATREIDES, private letter about the Kolona Affair
Even CHOAM could be involved. The Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles is complex, and their records are obtuse, secure from any prying eyes. The same can be said for the Spacing Guild. The Guild not only runs Heighliner ships; they are also bankers. If they could save many solaris in melange purchases, that would put more solaris in their coffers.”
The Sisterhood views the future of humanity by considering an infinite number of possibilities. We can step back and consider which threads are best for the species as a whole. That is the difference between the Bene Gesserit and an individual, whether noble-born or street urchin. We do not think, “What about me? What is my future?” —Bene Gesserit Perspective on History, “Executive Summary”
He lifted his head and recited from the Orange Catholic Bible, “The hand of God goes with the hand of justice. And we are justice incarnate.”
There is law and there is vengeance. I embody both. —DUKE LETO ATREIDES, address to Caladan War Council
Chaen Marek was a member of the Bene Tleilax, reviled experimenters, genetic manipulators, torturers. Duncan had seen them before, fought them, and reviled them. What were the Tleilaxu doing on Caladan?
The best leaders assemble information and take actions that lead to political stability. The worst leaders dissemble information and generate chaos. —A lesson from Imperial history
