And don't get hurt,' [Dexter] added. 'There's no one to help you up there. And don't go stirring up a lot of trouble for us. This case isn't ripe yet. Until it is, our policy with Mr Big is 'live and let live'.' Bond looked quizzically at Captain Dexter In my job,' he said, 'when I come up against a man like this one, I have another motto. It's 'live and let die'.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the contrasting approaches to danger and conflict, highlighting a pragmatic versus a more aggressive mentality.
In this exchange, Captain Dexter advises a cautious approach to dealing with a dangerous adversary, emphasizing patience and avoidance of unnecessary conflict. In contrast, Bond expresses a more aggressive philosophy, suggesting that when faced with severe threats, one must take decisive action, even to the point of lethal consequences. This illustrates differing perspectives on handling conflict and the moral implications involved.
In practice
In a speech about strategy for dealing with conflict, one could quote this to illustrate differing approaches to risk.
Above all, he liked it that everything was one's own fault. There was only oneself to praise or blame. Luck was a servant and not a master. Luck had to be accepted with a shrug or taken advantage of up to the hilt. But it had to be understood and recognized for what it was and not confused with a faulty appreciation of the odds, for, at gambling, the deadly sin is to mistake bad play for bad luck. And luck in all its moods had to be loved and not feared
Most marriages don't add two people together. They subtract one from the other.
Worry is a dividend paid to disaster before it is due
You only live twice. Once when you are born and once when you look death in the face.
If you interrupt the writing of fast narrative with too much introspection and self-criticism, you will be lucky if you write 500 words a day and you will be disgusted with them into the bargain. By following my formula, you write 2,000 words a day and you arenβt disgusted with them until the book is finished, which will be in about six weeks.
Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.
Actually, it was only part of myself I wanted to kill: the part that wanted to kill herself, that dragged me into the suicide debate and made every window, kitchen implement, and subway station a rehearsal for tragedy.
Any swagger is just defense. When you're reminded so much of who you are by people - not a fame thing, but with my size, constantly, growing up - you just either curl up in a corner in the dark or you wear it proudly, like armor or something. You can turn it on its head and use it yourself before anybody else gets a chance.
I do not pray for a lighter load, but for a stronger back.
If we have the courage and tenacity of our forebears, who stood firmly like a rock against the lash of slavery, we shall find a way to do for our day what they did for theirs.
If you voluntarily quit in the face of adversity, you'll wonder about it for the rest of your life.
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