Litany against fear
The Litany against fear is a fictional incantation spoken by characters in Frank Herbert's Dune and sequels in order to focus their minds in times of peril. The litany is as follows: - "I must not fear.
:Fear is the mind-killer.
:Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
:I will face my fear.
:I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
:And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
:Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
:Only I will remain."
This incantation originates from the Bene Gesserit. Paul Atreides, the son of Duke Leto Atreides uses it when the Reverend Mother Gaius Helen Mohiam compels him to put his right hand in a device that causes pain as a test of his intellect. The litany helps him to withstand the excruciating agony.
Other appearances The second line of the incantation is often misquoted as "Fear is the Man-Killer". This slogan is often available as a vehicle decal or t-shirt design. On the animated television series Earthworm Jim, the first three lines were quickly chanted by Peter Puppy whenever he found himself in an overwhelming situation (usually at least once per episode) In the early primary season of the 2004 U.S. presidential election, the second line was quoted during a televised debate by Ambassador Carol Mosely Braun, candidate for the Democratic nomination.
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