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Beyond a critical point within a finite space, freedom diminishes as numbers increase. ...The human question is not how many can possibly survive within the system, but what kind of existence is possible for those who do survive.

— Frank Herbert Dune (1965)

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Space

More quotes by Frank Herbert

The thing we must do intensely is be human together. People are more important than things.

If we define Futurism as an exploration beyond accepted limits, then the nature of limiting systems becomes the first object of exploration.

Don't give over all of your critical faculties to people in power, no matter how admirable those people may appear to be.

Dune Genesis (1980)

No matter how finely you subdivide time and space, each tiny division contains infinity.

Dune Genesis (1980)

If you need something to worship, then worship life — all life, every last crawling bit of it! We're all in this beauty together!

Dune Messiah (1969)

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Since, in the long run, every planetary society will be endangered by impacts from space, every surviving civilization is obliged to become spacefaring — not because of exploratory or romantic zeal, but for the most practical reason imaginable: staying alive.

Carl Sagan Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space (1994)

The stars awaken a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible; but all natural objects make a kindred impression, when the mind is open to their influence. Nature never wears a mean appearance.

Ralph Waldo Emerson Nature (1836)

Her blue eyes sought the west afar,
For lovers love the western star.

Walter Scott The Lay of the Last Minstrel (1805)

Einstein's space is no closer to reality than Van Gogh's sky.

Arthur Koestler The Act of Creation (1964)

Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Frank Herbert (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.