A couple of gems mined from chapter beginnings in the book Dune Messiah.  As the author of the Dune Chronicles, Frank Herbert deserves great tribute for the giant effort of thought required to write this series.  It stands as a monument in the landscape of science fiction, therefore a classic in human philosophy.   The quotes that begin each chapter are written as relative historical comments to the times of these worlds and their humans (or other life forms).

There exists no separation between gods and men; one blends softly casual into the other.
   - Proverbs of Muad'dib

The convoluted wording of legalisms grew up around the necessity to hide from ourselves the violence we intend toward each other.  Between depriving a man of one hour from his life and depriving him of his life there exists only a difference of degree.  You have done violence to him, consumed his energy.  Elaborate euphemisms may concealyour intent to kill, but behind any use of power over another the ultimate assumption remains: "I feed on your energy."

- Addenda to Orders in Council
  The Emperor Paul Muad'dib