Brian Herbert Quotes:

Any school for free citizens must begin by teaching distrust, not trust. It must teach questioning, not acceptance of stock answers.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2002). “Dune: House Corrino”, p.518, Spectra

Topics: Teaching, School, Acceptance

It's so much more interesting to study a ... damaged world. I find it difficult to learn anything in a place that's too civilized.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2003). “Dune: House Atreides”, p.30, Spectra

Topics: Interesting, World, Study

The capacity to learn is a gift; The ability to learn is a skill; The willingness to learn is a choice.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2003). “Dune: House Harkonnen”, p.532, Spectra

Topics: Skills, Choices, Capacity, Live And Learn, Life Learning

Simplicity is the most difficult of all concepts.

Topics: Simplicity, Difficult

The first step in innovation is to know that a thing can be created. After that, the rest is a matter of detail.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2002). “Dune: House Corrino”, p.164, Spectra

Topics: Innovation, Firsts, Steps

Humans are different in private than in the presence of others. While the private persona merges into the social persona in varying degrees, the union is never complete. Something is always held back.

Topics: Unions, Degrees, Different

No person can ever know everything that is in the heart of another. We are all Face Dancers in our souls.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2003). “Dune: House Harkonnen”, p.689, Spectra

Topics: Heart, Dancer, Soul

Fear invites aggression - do not show it to a predator.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson (2010). “Dune: The Butlerian Jihad”, p.328, Macmillan

Topics: Fear, Predator, Aggression

In the heat of battle, heroes emerge, sometimes from the most unlikely of sources.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson (2010). “Dune: The Butlerian Jihad”, p.353, Macmillan

Topics: Hero, Battle, Heat

Wounds make better lessons than lectures.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2003). “Dune: House Harkonnen”, p.424, Spectra

Topics: Hurt, Lessons, Lectures

The Universe operates on a basic principle of economics: everything has its cost. We pay to create our future, we pay for the mistakes of the past. We pay for every change we make . . . and we pay just as dearly if we refuse to change.

Topics: Mistake, Past, Principles

Facts mean nothing when they are preempted by appearance. Do not underestimate the power of impression over reality.

source: - "Dune: House Harkonnen". Book by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, 2000.

Topics: Mean, Science, Reality

Freedom is an elusive concept. Some men hold themselves prisoner even when they have the power to do as they please and go where they choose, while others are free in their hearts, even as shackles restrain them.

Topics: Heart, Men, Shackles

Let the future remain uncertain, for that is the canvas to receive our desires.

source: - Brian Herbert (2003). “Dreamer of Dune: The Biography of Frank Herbert”, p.389, Macmillan

Topics: Desire, Canvas, Uncertain

Let pressure pass over and through you. That way you can't be harmed by it.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2003). “Dune: House Atreides”, p.42, Spectra

Topics: Way, Pressure

How will I be remembered by my children? This is the true measure of a man.

Topics: Children, Men, Measure Of A Man, Be Remembered By, True Measure Of A Man

Life is filled with tests, one after another, and if you don't recognize them, you are certain to fail the most important ones.

Topics: Important, Tests, Life Is

Opportunities are a tricky crop, with tiny flowers that are difficult to see and even more difficult to harvest.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson (2010). “Dune: The Butlerian Jihad”, p.135, Macmillan

Topics: Flower, Opportunity, Tiny

The man who sees an opportunity and does nothing is asleep with his eyes open.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson, Frank Herbert (2001). “Dune: House Corrino”, Spectra

Topics: Eye, Opportunity, Men

Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.

Topics: Believe, Mind, Want, Never Underestimate, Human Mind

It is astonishing how foolish humans can be in groups, especially when they follow their leader without question.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2002). “Dune: House Corrino”, p.333, Spectra

Topics: Leader, Groups, Foolish

There is no man so blind as one who has made up his mind.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2002). “Dune: House Corrino”, p.197, Spectra

Topics: Men, Mind, Blind

Anything imagined can be made real ... given sufficient genius.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson (2010). “Dune: The Butlerian Jihad”, p.130, Macmillan

Topics: Real, Imagination, Genius

An ignorant friend is worse than a learned foe.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2002). “Dune: House Corrino”, p.380, Spectra

Topics: Ignorant, Foe

The more tightly packed the group, the greater the need for strict social ranks and orders.

source: - Brian Herbert, Kevin Anderson (2002). “Dune: House Corrino”, p.194, Spectra

Topics: Order, Groups, Needs