How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Leto had been wise to choose this place for his seat of government. The name, Arrakeen, had a good sound, filled with tradition. (7.5)
Leto is indeed wise, or at least a very good politician. Have you noticed how every politician (ever) always gives speeches dedicated to tradition? It's because people love hearing how great their tradition is. Leto has done the same thing, albeit subtly. He promotes tradition simply by establishing his capital in a traditional-sounding city.
Quote #2
"The Harkonnens won't rest until they're dead or my Duke destroyed. The Baron cannot forget that Leto is a cousin of the royal blood—no matter what the distance—while the Harkonnen titles came out of the CHOAM pocketbook. But the poison in him, deep in his mind, is the knowledge that an Atreides had a Harkonnen banished for cowardice after the Battle of Corrin." (8.93)
The darker side of tradition and custom is that it can lead to conflict simply by trying to fulfill the demands of tradition and custom. Think this kind of stuff only happens in fiction? Heard of the Hatfields and McCoys?
Quote #3
"Before I do your bidding, manling," Mapes said, "I must cleanse the way between us. You've put a water burden on me that I'm not sure I care to support. But we Fremen pay our debts— […]" (9.44)
Cultures have can have many similar features while still being slightly different. In Fremen society, debts are thought of in terms of the water one owes. In Harkonnen society, it's all about the cash flow. What would you say is our society's version of the water burden?