15 Best Dune 2 Quotes

Warning! SPOILERS for Dune: Part Two!

Summary

• The best lines in Dune 2 are memorable and convey the message and themes concisely.
• Dune 2’s success at the box office sets the stage for the third movie with fantastic direction and acting.
• Faith, prophecy, and power play pivotal roles in Dune 2, with standout lines that shape the story.

Like any other movie, Dune: Part Two relies on the best quotes in the film to pack an emotional punch and elevate moments of intense story development. Based on the novel Dune by Frank Herbert,Dune 2 picks up where the prequel film left off in the story of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he infiltrates the world and culture of the planet Arrakis. Within the world of Dune 2, faith and how it can be used to control people play a pivotal role, and the power of language is not overlooked in this case.

The best lines in Dune 2 are undeniably memorable and concisely convey the message and themes of the movie.

Thanks to the popularity of the first movie and the source material, Dune 2 has already had enormous box-office success, paving the way for the third movie. While the compelling storytelling and fantastic direction from Denis Villeneuve cannot be overlooked, a large part of this success is thanks to the actors. Once great lines of dialogue are written, it’s up to the performers to do them justice and deliver them in ways the audience will never forget. The best lines in Dune 2 are undeniably memorable and concisely convey the message and themes of the movie.

15 “The World Has Made Choices For Us.”

Chani (Zendaya)

Fate and prophecy are two concepts constantly at play in Dune 2, and Chani is not among the true believers. In the film, Chani leaves at the end of Dune 2, which means her role in the remainder of the story will change completely. Her love for Paul and belief in him is challenged throughout the movie as he continues down the path of power and control instead of one that’s in the best interest of the Fremen. When she utters this line to Paul in the movie, she has no idea he will soon betray her.

14 “We’re Bene Gesserits. We Don’t Hope. We Plan.”

Reverend Mother Mohiam (Charlotte Rampling)

The religious group, the Bene Gesserits, to which Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), belongs, is arguably the source of true evil within the story. They planted the Lisan al Gaib prophecy on Arrakis to ensure they maintained control of the planet and the structure of power within the universe. Paul and Jessica might believe they are acting independently or against the Bene Gesserit’s wishes, but the religion has predicted and planned all of their actions. The Reverend Mother lays this fact bare to Princess Irulan when she questions their control.

13 “This World Is Beyond Cruelty.”

Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet)

Paul begins his journey to becoming the Mahdi wary of the prophecy and unsure if he should take advantage of the power it gives him. For a time, he convinces the Fremen that he doesn’t wish to control them, but Dune 2 sees him become certain that he deserves their loyalty. After this, he convinces them to fight for him. Part of this is done through his actions, but it is sealed with his words. His appeal to the Fremen involves his description of life on Arrakis, but this is something he knows very little about.

12 “Our Enemies Are All Around Us, And In So Many Futures They Prevail. But I Do See A Way, There Is A Narrow Way Through.”

Paul Atreides

After Paul drinks the water of life, a poison taken from the sandworms on Arrakis, he can see both the past and future, including his place in the holy war. He speaks to his mother about the possible futures in front of him and the insight he has into the past. The bond they share, having both drunk the poison, is not fully explored in the film but greatly influences Paul’s decisions. The to take his place as emperor is spurred by his visions, but whether they are true or not can only be discovered with time.

11 “My Father Has Always Been Guided By The Calculus Of Power.”

Princess Irulan (Florence Pugh)

Princess Irulan is a new character in Dune 2, but it’s clear that her role will only grow in the following films. She is indoctrinated into the Bene Gesserit belief system but still retains ties to her father, the emperor. When Paul claims his place as the new emperor of the universe, he takes Irulan’s hand in marriage. Before this, Irulan surveys the happenings on Arrakis and the fate of House Atreides from a distance and coldly observes how her father allowed the slaughter of millions in his thirst for power.

10 “Our Resources Are Limited. Fear Is All We Have.”

Paul Atreides

It’s a happy moment for both when Paul is reunited with Gurney Halleck (Josh Brolin), a member of his late father’s guard for House Atreides. However, it’s not long before Gurney questions Paul’s role among the Fremen and demands to know when he will take action against the Harkonnens and reclaim his rightful role as Duke. Despite his push for Paul to become a true leader, Gurney can’t help but admire how much Paul has accomplished as Muad’dib. His new name strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies, but Paul is smart enough to use this as a tool.

9 “It Seems You’ve Already Won Your Battle.”

Chani

On Arrakis, while Paul and Chani are off fighting the Harkonnen’s spice collection, Jessica takes the place of the Reverend Mother to spread the false prophecy of the Bene Gesserit. At first, she’s fueled by her love for her son and the desire to see him safe and protected, but it becomes clear that her true motivation is power and the belief that her son should be heralded as a prophet. It is the height of hubris and cruelty that she takes advantage of the Fremen’s faith in this way, and Chani indicts her actions in only a few words.

8 “The Madhi Is Too Humble To Say He Is The Madhi. Even More Reason To Know He Is!”

Stilgar (Javier Bardem)

Javier Bardem is fantastic as Stilgar, Paul’s mentor and a staunch believer in the prophecy of the Lisan al Gaib. He believes that Paul could be the one from the first moment they meet, and many of his actions throughout the film indicate how much he’s trying to help the prophecy along for the sake of his faith. Even when Paul attempts to deny the truth of the legend if only for his gain, Stilgar spins this denial as another way that it’s certain Paul will become the Madhi.

7 “You Underestimate The Power Of Faith.”

Princess Irulan

When Irulan and her father discuss the uprising of the Fremen on Arrakis, he consults her on what she would do in his position. She asserts herself as a wise and capable leader, explaining that the Fremen are ruled by their faith, like all other cultures, and there is no way to cull their belief without fanning the flames of it. This nuanced analysis indicates that she will be more than a match for Paul as a wife and that she understands the source of the prophecy from which he draws his power.

6 “SILENCE!”

Paul Atreides

The voice is a power used by the Bene Gesserit that Jessica teaches Paul. It compels people to follow the commands of the speaker. Although Paul has this ability, he rarely uses it and never uses it on the Fremen, as he needs to gain their trust as equals. However, when the Bene Gesserit Reverend Mother dares to question him and his bid for emperor, he uses the voice to illustrate the scope of his power. She is shocked by his blasphemy, but Paul is beyond reason or command as he assumes the role of Lisan al Gaib.

5 “Never Give Your Water Away -Not Even For The Dead.”

Stilgar

Water as a resource and source of life is another of the central themes of Dune 2. At the start of the movie, the Fremen are careful to reserve their water and take any remaining water from the bodies of their dead as well as their enemies. Stilgar teaches these ways to Paul and Jessica and illustrates how water is not something to be taken for granted and that shedding a tear in sadness would be a waste. These actions later contrast sharply with the way that the dead of their enemies are burned, wasting water, as religious fantasticism grows.

4 “This Prophecy Is How They Enslave Us!”

Chani

For a long time, Paul tries to convince Chani that he doesn’t put stock in the Lisan al Gaib prophecy and that she and the Fremen are what he fights for. This leads to Paul and Chani falling in love in Dune 2, but Chani’s allegiance to her people is what matters to her above all else. She is a Fremen and staunchly believes that the person who will free the Fremen from the oppression of the empire will be one of their own. Paul’s betrayal and capitulation to the prophecy is a devastating blow for her.

3 “Want To Control People? Tell Them A Messiah Will Come And They’ll Wait.”

Chani

Chani is the voice of reason and says what the audience is thinking throughout the movie. She is also frequently the mouthpiece for the larger themes of the plot and serves as a reminder that though Paul is the protagonist, his actions are not condoned by the storytellers. While many Fremen have been indoctrinated through the Bene Gesserit prophecy, Chani doesn’t believe in its sanctity or validity, but as Paul gains power, she becomes the minority. Her words contrast sharply with those of the true believers who paved the way for Paul’s ascendency.

2 “Lead Them To Paradise.”

Paul Atreides

Part of what the Fremen expect from the Lisan al Gaib is that he will transform Arrakis from a desert into a green paradise. Of course, this isn’t in the power of one man or anyone at all, but after Paul decides to use the legend to his advantage, he promises the Fremen more than he can ever offer. In a stirring, if extremely manipulative, speech to the Fremen, he claims that he will return them to a land of promise and eradicate suffering. However, if he can’t deliver on this promise, there could be a price to pay.

1 “May Thy Knife Chip And Shatter.”

Paul Atreides

Perhaps the most iconic line in the Dune canon, and certainly in Dune: Part Two, is “May thy knife chip and shatter.” It’s a Fremen saying that’s traditionally uttered before hand-to-hand combat. Paul says this before his fight with Feyd-Rautha, which will determine if he will become emperor of the universe. The phrase on its own is heart-stopping, but the context of how it’s used is just as important. At the moment when Paul decides to commit to his role of false messiah and use Arrakis for his own gain, he uses their words to guide him in battle.