17. FRANK HERBERT: Litany against fear
Frank Herbert (1920-1986) was an American science fiction writer most famous for his Dune series of novels. The Litany against fear is the mantra of a group of powerful women in the Dune books called the Bene Gesserit, who have achieved superhuman powers from mental and physical training. I haven’t read any of the Dune books, even though I know Dune to be considered the greatest science fiction novel ever. I guess i’m pretty intimidated by the mythology – it seems pretty hardcore, even for someone like me who’s read the works of Orson Scott Card, Harlan Ellison and watched the Star Wars saga countless times. From what I’ve read, the Bene Gesserit sound like Jedis … am I way off? Did I just ruin whatever science fiction street cred I had by asking that?
- This quote was submitted by Julian on the Zen Pencils Facebook page. You don’t need to be a Dune fan to love it – I think it’s very powerful and true – fear really IS the mind-killer. So thank you to Julian for introducing me to it.
- Do you have a favourite quote that you want me to illustrate? Then what are you waiting for?
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Most exceptional timing Gavin. I needed this reminder. Thank you.
My pleasure mate.
Wow. Your quotes are inspiring, as well as you and your works. This is my new favorite website.
Great, i’m honoured!
“I’m a HUGE fan of your work”… Now that that’s out of the way, The Dune series is in a word: incredible. I’ve read and reread most of them since the age of 11 (since of course I had trouble understanding a lot of it back then), and I learn something new and valuable each time. The mythology is interesting, but not always imperative to the stories. Read up to Chapter House Dune, if you can. That’s the one that finally became too dry for me.
Oh, and thank you for doing such a lovely job with this quote. It is one of my all-time faves.
This is a great quote! I have been a big fan of Dune, although I have to admit that I have not read all of it. I even liked David Lynch’s cinematic adaption (though many didn’t).
This quote and the litany that the Mentats use before using their spice extract were my favourite quotes from the book/s.
It is also surprising and pleasing that quote sources come from not only reality but fiction too.
That’s right, fiction writers are a good source of inspiration too
Call this pure coincidence (even if i don’t believe in pure one)…but today’s fear leaved me for a while after i open this one..
thanks for this one, especially
Good to hear Deshka!
That is a superb cartoon. I am a huge fan of Dune and you really have captured the essence of the Litany.
Thanks Paul
Holy crap you should read Dune. Not all six books, but the first two or three, and then watch the David Lynch movie. Really good work, and totally worth the time.
Ok ok – you’re right.
‘adds Dune to reading list’
If you’re going to watch the David Lynch film (which is really good but butchers the story) I highly recommend you watch the award winning Scifi Miniseries.
I think that just the first book really captured the best of Dune. The rest are not as required reading as the first (although some of them are enjoyable as continuation of the stories) but Dune stands alone as its own work just fine.
I would certainly agree with that. For me, the first book *is* Dune – the rest are just sequels
I came here through Bad Astronomy and the amazing Carl Sagan’s quote, went to the home page, and found the Litany. So powerful. You made my day, sir.
“From what I’ve read, the Bene Gesserit sound like Jedis … am I way off?”
First reaction was “heck no, they are different”, but on second thought it’s not that way off. Where Jedi are either sword-wielding knight errands or leaders, the members of the Bene Gesserit are more the epitome of the “Eminence Grise”, the counselors ruling behind the throne. And at the same time, inhumanly fast – and very deadly – hand-to-hand fighters.
It’s true that the first Star War movie had some likeness to Dune (and Dune came first). Sand planet, teenager boy hero, mastering of psi abilities…
But don’t expect full likeness. The contexts are very different. Among other things, where Star War tend to the black and white (or more appropriately Light and Dark), Dune is just many shades of grays.
Thanks for clarifying mate – ok, i’ve definitely got to read this book
Great job on this one. Powerful and great visual storytelling.
Brilliant.
I just started reading when I hit the fourth panel, “I must not fear,” a chill went down my spine, I got goosebumps, and started to tear up. I know this line. I know where this is going. You handled a terrible subject with tact and grace and created a beautiful piece. This cements the fact that this is my favorite comic of all time. Pure magic.
“Favourite comic of all time” – yes, that should satisfy my ego for awhile. seriously, thanks Lima
The Bene Gesserit solution to such things is apparently to infect the offender with an incurable disease.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Harkonnen
Prelude to Dune was written 15 years after Frank Herbert’s death. They’re widely considered to be horrible, horrible perversions of a terrific series.
Thank you, Gav! I had forgotten about Dune and this quote. Dune was my favo(u)rite book when I was a teenager! The other posters are right: you only need to read the first one or two. You will be blown away. Herbert does a fantastic job of creating a whole world. You don’t need to be intimidated. Remember, fear is the mind killer.
Great job on the cartoons.
‘adds bigapptight.com to list’
Touche Christopher
I discovered your site today – very inspiring! This one has been a favorite quote of mine, I use it to open my sketchbooks and to keep myself pushing forward.
Looking forward to seeing more
Came here from Reddit trough the great Carl Sagan quote. He was a hero of mine when I was growing up the way Neil deGrasse Tyson is a hero to me today.
This quote and drawing are fabulous and inspiring. I highly recommend reading the original Dune novel. It is one of the all time great scifi novels. Thoroughly enjoyable and absorbing. The sequel is pretty good too but not nearly the greatness of the original. After that it is all downhill.
Also came here from Reddit and went through the archives. These are incredibly moving. What you did with this Frank Herbert quote is incredible. Looking forward to seeing more!
Amazing work. This one gave me chills. Also came here through Reddit. Going to start a BuzzFeed for this, try and get your work out there a bit more.
Sublime. Great Work.
The Bene Gesserit are kinda like the Jedi but harder, more ruthless, and with a penchant for long term hereditary manipulation.
You should make these available as posters. I’d hang them in my kids’ rooms. This is like a ‘Great Books’ course a la graphic novel.
Prints coming soon
I found you through reddit. Excellent stuff! This one, Herbert’s, in particular is really powerful. Looking forward to more of your work!
Cheers, from Canada.
This is so inspiring , keep it up with the Good work Mate
Gav, I love these and this is my favorite so far. The image of the wave crashing over her and the peace and serenity at the end just floor me.
My only critique would be to dump the “relationship” story and focus solely on her and her facing her fears. Leave to the reader’s imagination the “what” that the wave represents.
Great, positive stuff. I’m looking forward to many more.
I don’t think that would have been a good idea. I think that what makes this strip so great is that it gives us a relatable story that unfortunately is very badly represented, but is also a situation which many people fear and end up in. It helps us understand this woman and what she’s really going through.
The images of her experiences send chills down my spine and the wave metaphor becomes truly inspiring.
Man, you reminded me that I need to re-read that book. It’s been awhile.
For me, the power of this graphic is bringing the quote into human terms. In the book, the Bene Gesseret (sp?) and Paul are Heroic characters – this litany is something they mutter prior to events outside my understanding. It was a powerful quote then, but it had as much relationship to me and my life as knowing what Zeus ate for breakfast, or what Reggie Jackson whispered to himself prior to going to bat in a World Series. Your graphic brings the quote down to human scale, where it doesn’t lose an ounce of power even though it’s playing on a smaller stage that I can understand.
Thanks. I look forward to a print.
Thanks Frank – I bet Zeus eats a big plate of blueberry pancakes.
For one who hasn’t read the Dune series, yes, the way you have captured the essence of the litany is very zen.
Came here from Reddit, through Carl Sagan’s quote, and just had to comment here regarding Jedis (bear in mind, I haven’t read any Star Wars works, and have only ever seen the movies):
As others have pointed out, there are quite a few parallels that can be drawn between the Jedi Knights and the Bene Gesserit. But the primary difference I see, is that where the Jedi Knights take upon themselves the “burden” of the entire universe in fighting the “evil” Siths, Bene Gesserit are ultimately interested in their own cause – a very self sustaining and pragmatic outlook, and without the hubris of assuming themselves the inevitable heroes.
thanks – they sound even more badass than the Jedi – could they kick Yoda’s butt?
Probably not. The Bene Gesserit selectively bred themselves for thousands of years, even before their training they’re capable of deceptively fierce opponents. After training they can control another person or group of people with a carefully tuned word, read body language well enough that many think they can read minds, controlling their body on such a level as to cure diseases, purge poisons, or even select a mate’s sperm to assure they get the sex and traits they’re after in an offspring, and they’re capable of preternatural feats of speed, strength, and intellect.
Honestly, though, the Jedi can do all those things as well in their own ways, and have lightsabers, which is the real clincher. A Bene Gesserit’s only weapon is her body. Their abilities will let them grab a knife by the blade while avoiding the edge, or take the cut and shut out the pain, but there’s not much they can do against a lightsaber.
That’s a battle i’d like to see
Bene Gesserit don’t need weapons as clumsy as lightsabres
Bene Gesserit have the Voice. They can just tell the Jedi to stop moving, then break his neck.
Powerful. Thank you for telling this story – the truth of despair, and the truth of renewal, of hope. I run the mental health element at my base. This is going to my survivors of domestic violence, who may not yet know the silent strength that lies within them. Brilliantly beautiful comic.. I hope you know how much you inspire
Jo, this means a lot to me – the thought that this might help ACTUAL abuse victims in any way sends shivers down MY spine. I’m humbled and grateful – thank u
that was brilliant & extremely powerful – i felt a chill sprint down my spine — i just discovered this site today & omg where have u been all my life?? kudos to you!
You have a new fan in me, and in the blog that sent me:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/zen-pencils-barletts-meets-brushwork-in-australian-cartoonists-popular-motivational-quote-blog/2012/02/29/gIQAGpiikR_blog.html
It’s funny that I read Dune (my favorite book of all time) all so many years ago and yet, till this day, I still recite the beginning of the litany whenever I’m in fear. I don’t know if you drew this for the litany or if you used the litany for these drawings but I must say they go quite well together. Keep up the good work.
Thanks – the story was created for the Litany
Through some horrifying times, when that fear reached down and froze my heart..I must not fear.
I’ve bookmarked this one piece and will keep it where I can see it and remember.
Thank you.
That’s very flattering – cheers Brendan
This is, quite honestly, and in all sincerity, one of the MOST beautiful things I have EVER seen.
Thank you.
Thanks Michael!
Great cartoon. Very inspirational. But to laud the Bene Gesserit is, I believe, to misunderstand Herbert’s point. Read the series, see what happens to Maud Dib’s empire over time. Then consider if, over time, Bene Gesserit=Third Reich=Manifest Destiny=Evil Empire, and so on.
almost forgot this surprisingly deep piece of text from that book. and completely forgot the message. maybe never quite got it .-) next round now .-)
Dude, stop whatever you are doing right now and grab… I SAID STOP, yes, drop the pencil and go grab “Dune”, read it cover to cover. I do it at least once a year, and it marvels me every time.
Then if you want try to read the other dune books, they are lesser works but good fiction. NEVER grab the books written after his death, they are utter garbage.
Well done. Thank you for sharing your talent. Keep up the great work!
That illustration is so beautiful. (beside that im soo against the violence on women!!! so low man’s behaviour)
Her voice….. I heard her voice.
I don’t know where it came from.
…until I realized, that in actuality, deep down,
the voice I heard was my own.
Keep living your dream. This is your contribution to the world. And it’s flippin’ awesome
Awesome work. Is there an album where you publish the whole story? So moving … beautiful!
Do you mean a book collection? No, not yet.
Thanks a lot for illustrating such powerful messages. You Sir certainly lit my evening. Keep them coming !
Best regards from France.
I work for a dual domestic violence and sexual assault agency and love Dune. I really want to see this made into a poster. I want it in my office!
Thanks, I’m working on it Eva
Yay!
Gavin— just read the first book— I think what follows is best left to the imagination.
As a survivor of domestic violence (which looked A LOT like what you protrayed to the point of it being freaky) and a huge Sci Fi nerd I needed this wake up call! I’ve been single for 11 years since my exhusband was jailed for domestic violence. I’ve been hiding out being a single mom and using that as an excuse to not step back out and try to date again. I needed this.
Thank you!
Cheryl
Thank you so much for your comment Cheryl, I’m glad my work could help in any way.
You should read it. At least the first four books.
Do NOT read any of the crap written by Kevin Anderson along with Herbert’s son. Destroyed the mythos.
It’s really good stuff.
The book was surprisingly easy to read. That impressive body of mythos never gets in the way of story telling (if you don’t mind or can ignore footnotes and appendices). It moves fast and is filled with gems like this one.
Not to be pedantic or a jerk or anything, but I cringed when I saw the wave coming. A wave of that size would not just rush over her and make her wet, it would pick her up and toss her around like a doll — I assume you’ve seen surfing footage. My hometown has a breakwall into a large lake where a number of people have died after trying the very same stunt as your character.
I really enjoy your site, but please be careful: should someone take this as so inspirational that they might try it, the results would not be so transformative.
They might also notice that this person is a cartoon.
You are amazing sir. Just amazing
Wow, this was totally heart wrenching/warming all at the same time. Would love to see a version featuring a guy, perhaps in the future.
this makes me want to cry,is that normal?wonderful.just beautiful.
I got chills when I read this.
Hi Gav,
just discovered your site a few days ago and came to this page today. Love every post, but especially this one coz its one of my favorites quotes. Keep up the awesome posts!
I read this and wept. What an incredibly sensitive portrayal of hope and inner strength.
Great Comic!!!
I’m a hardcore Dune fan, and this quote is actually printed above my bed since I’ve read the first book.
You really did a great job in understanding the true meaning of this mantra and befriend it with the everyday person.
Don’t listen to Naysayers . The Last 2 novels “heretics of Dune/Chapterhouse Dune” are as good as Dune itself. Almost every page is dripping with gems as good as the litany…on Love ” never give someone a stick to beat you with”…. plus the been gesserit grow up,step out of the shadows and become guardians of civilization….TheEntire dune series, especially the Last 2 are unique in Sf (other than dollhouse ) in dealing with the expansion of human consciousnous thru multiple awarenesses/personalities .
Herbert’s works are much deeper than Lucas’s fairly trivial good vs. evil stories. Herbert writes about people and politics. The hero of the first Dune book becomes a tyrant later on.
The Bene Gesserit were not warriors and their objective was not to fight anything in particular, but to breed a super-being over thousands of generations. (The book was written before DNA manipulation was possible.) They succeeded, but found themselves unable to control their creation.
A breath of fresh air.
Just Amazing ! graphics and you convey the quotes very strongly !!
To add to Earnest’s comment “The Bene Gesserit were not warriors and their objective was not to fight anything in particular, but to breed a super-being over thousands of generations.” Their concept of ‘super being’ included powers of mind much like the Jedi. They were trying to create within a human, the powers of God, such as prophesy, the power of seeing into a person’s thoughts, and manipulation through voice tone and pitch. The Jedi also focus on similar powers of mind with the aim of controlling the powers of the Universe using the force of willpower.
They are similar, with the Jedi being a more simple concept. Perhaps a comparison could be the Jesuits and the Samurai.
Your work is breathtakingly beautiful. Great job! I’m a fan))
Love this cartoon! Excellent work! Is there a reason this isn’t available as a print?
The words are copyrighted to Frank Herbert – I tried getting in touch with his company but they didn’t respond.
Amazing, just amazing GAV. You are truly talented.
I went through this type of fear. You tell the story beautifully.
Gavin,
This was one of the first strips I read on your site after going intense emotional, verbal and one occasion physical harassment at my workplace. It took me months of counselling and therapy to get past the bad time. But your comic struck a chord of immense magnitude with me, that no other words or reassurances could. It helped me understand what I needed to do to move on and reclaim my life. Thank you for doing what you do Gavin. Keep up the excellent work.
Thanks so much for the comment Sharada, it really means a lot. Wish you all the best as you move on from such an horrible event.
LOve your cartoons and have my 8yr old daughter read one a month and we see how it applies to her and my life.
side note the Bene Gesserit and defiantly not jedi only comparison you could make is they are well trained and have great mental self discipline, Zen would be a better comparison except they are far more Self Centered and control oriented. They are the “religious” point in the triangle of power in Herbert’s dune universe the others being the great houses and the Guild. Read it if you haven’t don’t really need to read the others.
Wonderful, hope your daughter gets something out of them
I was just wondering, do you have this particular illustration for sale? It’s been helping me get through every days lately. I couldn’t find it, but I may not have looked thoroughly enough?
Great work man! Its amazing how you can portray such a dynamic subject through an almost humouristic style of illustration
Gavin, your cartoon is a masterpiece!! It tears me up totally.
Thank you. I am just starting a new part of my life journey, and I needed to read this today.
Oh wow istead of sifting through Dunegoogled for the fear litany because I wanted to share with my children the mantra that helps meevery time I am afraid. And I stumble across the illustration of what happened to me that lead to us having a safe life for the last five years. Great. I’ve got to go to work now and I’m weeping.
*love*
In probably the first or second chapter of the first book, the main character as a boy is tested by the Bene against fear and pain. Their beliefs were that how a person deals with fear and pain is what distinguishes us from animals. I personally believe that and have experienced that the moments of my life when I have hurt the people I care about the most is when I’ve allowed fear and pain to rule over me and I’ve become an animal.
I have read all of the strips on your website. Many of them are inspiring to me and i thank you. Deeply depressed and looking for a way out I scoured your website. Taking in every comic and quote. When i passed this it struck me as well as the 2 wolves and Press on by calvin coolidge.
I stood on the mountain near my home and on the verge of it all, on the edge of that mountain where i was so afraid and wanted to jump, i learned how to let go. i repeat these quotes regularly and i thank you for helping me help myself.
Thanks so much for the comment, I’m honoured that the comics could help you. All the best to you.
This is my favorite. I love Frank Herbert and I love the Dune saga.
I’ve been trying to teach The Litany to my two daughters. It’s what I recite when I come up against something that causes ‘bowel shaking earthquakes of doubt’ (thank you Cake).
beautiful interpretation of “Litany against Fear”. Randomly stumbled upon this site and i’ve been reading every possible comic on your site since the last 2 hours.
these quotes are great on their own but when you have a visual interpretation of it (as you do), it adds a whole new dimension to it.
i think this is one is my personal favourite followed by the “pale blue dot” .
Good work. Inspiring!!
Still no prints
Waiting for this
There won’t be a print of this, I would need the publishers permission to use the words
Tried contacting them but no luck
Amazing…
The Dune books are so amazing! I love this print and I think you did a great job! And I hope that you have read the book by now because it is considered one of the original Sci-Fi books and a lot of stuff is based of it.
Love it !!!
Got goosebumps when the wave take her over! Very nice represented. Keep up the good work.
Read the books AND watched the original movie (directed by DAVID LYNCH) starring the multi-talented STING – your interpretation of the litany is mesmerising. Hail the Bene Gesserit … and GAV of course!
I am sure I am not the first to say this, but have you ever tried to present your comic without words? You are one of the few where words really don’t matter, at least as I see it, because the images you conjure need no words to convey the emotion.
The litany is actually used in the novel and the film by a non-Bene Gesserit (The Bene-Gesserit in my opinion are more like a witch coven than an order, but anyway)… won’t tell anything more or I will spoil the movie and the novel for you dude…
I’m going to send this to a friend I know who’s dealing with the aftermath of abuse (she dumped the creep, thank God).
I’m afraid that someone stole this piece though. I found someone posted it on Imgur: http://imgur.com/gallery/5wXlcGa
I suffer from anxiety and panic. i’m a lot better now but i still can’t be surrounded by a group of people or driving without starting to panic and the tought of being in a strange place (even if i’m with my friends) makes me really anxious. Just to name a few examples.
I’m saying this because the only way out of this situation i’m in is to confront my fears and go to places and do things that puts my mind screaming for help and makes me desesperate to leave.
This quote brought me to tears because it is so true. When you face your fears you feel better and more confident. Even the sun seems to shine brighter…
I’m thinking about making a tatto in my arm with this quote so that whenever i feel really scared and anxious i can read it and overcome my fear so that in the end “only I remain”
Thank you for using this brilliant and isnpiring quote Gavin
Cheers, for a Portuguese friend
sorry about the mistakes by the way, English is not my first language
I read Dune eons ago (didn’t recall the quote), but love the graphic. You should read the Dune series–it’s probably not what you think. And although I don’t read science fiction anymore, I recall loving Isaac Azimov’s Foundation Trilogy more. I’d highly recommend that if you haven’t read it yet.