Dune: The 10 Best Lady Jessica Quotes

Lady Jessica is one of the most complex characters in the new Dune adaptation. As Duke Leto’s concubine and Paul’s mother, she plays a significant role in the film. She remains loyal to Leto, defying her sisterhood and baring him a son. And her connection with Paul stays strong throughout the entire movie.

Beyond being a mother, Jessica is a sister of the Bene Gesserit with great strength and power. As such, she paves the way for Paul’s future by training him in the Way. With the numerous layers of her character shown, it’s natural for Lady Jessica to have impactful quotes.

“If You Want It, Make Me Give It To You.”

In one of Jessica’s first lines, she clarifies that she wants Paul to use the Voice successfully. Paul attempts, but he doesn’t seem to take the matter too seriously.

Right away, Jessica makes it known that she is a Bene Gesserit with immense power intent on training her son in The Way. But she also proves to be a concerned mother, inquiring about his dreams and making sure he is properly prepared for the ceremony.

“Do You See So Little Hope?”

Directed towards the Reverend Mother, Jessica’s Bene Gesserit teacher and one of the most powerful characters in Dune, this quote is in regards to Paul. After testing Paul, the Reverend Mother still displays skepticism in Jessica’s belief that Paul could be The One.

As his mother and trainer, Jessica sees the potential that the Reverend Mother does not. He has immense power that has only hit the surface. And though the Bene Gesserit paves a path for him on Arrakis, he takes matters into his own hands.

“We Think He Is Very Close Now. Some Believe He Is Here.”

Upon Paul overhearing his mother’s talk with the Reverend Mother about his potential, or lack thereof, to be The One, Jessica refers to him being the person the sisterhood has been waiting for even further in this quote.

While Jessica has taken pride in it, Paul doesn’t seem too keen on being The One. He is essentially a pawn in the Bene Gesserit’s plan to bring forth a mind to lead them into a better future. At first, he cannot grasp this concept, but he feels it throughout the movie. And Jessica nod to him being The One could be the truth after all.

“These People Have Waited For Centuries For The Lisan Al-Gaib. They See You, They See The Signs.”

Upon arrival on Arrakis, the Atreides clan are greeted by a group of people chanting, “Lisan al-Gaib” (the Voice from the Outer World). Jessica claims this as a symbol of the Bene Gesserit have been there, alluding to the paved path the Reverend Mother mentioned.

Jessica seems to attempt to push Paul further towards believing in himself by saying that people see signs of the messiah when they see him. But Paul still fails to believe Jessica. He says they see what they’ve been told to, still not realizing his importance or releasing his full power.

“The Conversation Ran Short.”

Before the one-on-one with Paul and the persistent Fremen, Jessica first proves herself to Stilgar. He wrongly underestimates Jessica because of her looks and wealth, claiming she is too old and untrained. She is quick to show Stilgar that he is way too hasty to judge her.

Being a weirding woman and a fighter gives her the power to easily take Stilgar down, though she stops just short of slitting his throat as he just wanted to prove her worth. Her combat skills, ability to use the Voice, and motherly protection make her powerful, and in this instance, it saves her life and the life of her son.

“Paul Has Never Killed A Man.”

After Jessica bests Stilgar, one of the Fremen, Jamis, refuses to take Paul and his mother. He diminishes Stilgar’s strength and invokes a fight to the death. Unable to challenge Jessica due to her place in the sisterhood, he takes on Paul. She then reveals to Stilgar as Paul asks Jamis to yield.

In a vision, Paul sees himself being killed Jamis during this fight, a voice telling him he must die for the Kwizats Haderach to awaken and that taking a life is equal to taking your own. The fact is mirrored in Jessica’s statement. Once he kills Jamis, both he and Jessica truly realize Paul’s destiny. Jessica is taken aback, seeming afraid to see what she’d hoped for come to life and wishing to retreat home, but Paul knows he belongs on Arrakis.

“You Can’t Know That. I Barely Know That, And It’s Only Been A Few Weeks.”

One of the most beautiful shots in Dune leads to this quote. Paul’s vision helps him deduce that Lady Jessica is pregnant. She’s shocked by her son’s knowledge of her pregnancy since according to her, “it’s only been a few weeks.”

Jessica starts seeing Paul’s power come alive at this moment. His visions have finally proven to be valid after the spice awakens them. They don’t occur the same as seen, but they allude to what’s to come, such as his mother’s pregnancy.

“Paul Atreides. You Are Your Father’s Son. You Are My Son. You Are The Duke Paul Atreides. You Know Who You Are.”

Lady Jessica says this upon trying to shake Paul out of his terrible vision of the war to come. She sees his fear and tries to bring him back to the present with the reminder of who he is.

The words do not help right away, though. Paul uses The Voice on Jessica and blames her for making him a freak in a rare instance. She is taken aback but keeps their relationship as one of the best in Dune by coming back to him with a comforting embrace. She realizes his anger is a reflection of his grief, knowing that his father died.

“I Must Not Fear. Fear Is The Mind-Killer. Fear Is The Little Death That Brings Obliteration.”

Probably the best quote in 2021’s Dune occurs as Jessica’s mantra to calm herself when anxious or overwhelmed. For instance, she recites it when the Reverend Mother tests Paul and when she and Paul fly through the sandstorm.

She quietly chants the words to herself as a reminder that she must allow fear to flow through her. Upon remembering that, Jessica widdles it down to after the fear leaving, the only thing left is her. It’s a powerful train of thought that helps her regain strength and push through obstacles.

“With…My Life.”

When Duke Leto realizes the gift of Arrakis is a trap, he knows that he might not make it through. He asks Jessica if he’ll protect their son should anything happen, and she responds immediately with this remark.

Sometimes, it’s the shortest quotes that mean the most. This quote tells so much about Jessica’s protectiveness over Paul. As a mother, she has so much love and compassion for him, and as a Bene Gesserit, she knows he has a greater destiny to pursue. Either way, she is willing to do anything to keep Paul safe.

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