# Quote — Frank Herbert, Dune Messiah

> There exists a limit to the force even the most powerful may apply without destroying themselves. Judging this limit is the true artistry of government. Misuse of power is the fatal sin. The law cannot be a tool of vengeance, never a hostage, nor a fortification against the martyrs it has created. You cannot threaten any individual and escape the consequences.

- Author: [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md)
- Book: [Dune Messiah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Dune#Dune_Messiah_(1969)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah/there-exists-a-limit

## More from this book

> There was a man so wise
>
> He jumped into
>
> A sandy place
>
> And burnt out both his eyes!
>
> And when he knew his eyes were gone,
>
> He offered no complaint.
>
> He summoned up a vision
>
> And made himself a saint.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah/there-was-a-man.md)

> “’Rulers are notoriously cynical where religions are concerned. Religion, too, is a weapon. What manner of weapon is religion when it becomes the government?’”

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah/rulers-are-notoriously.md)

> What is more ridiculous than a Death Commando transformed into a priest?

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah/what-is-more.md)