“The whole scene, the empty beach, the green and blue sea, the naked girl with the strands of fair hair, reminded Bond of something. He searched his mind. Yes, she was Botticelli’s Venus, seen from behind.”
Ian Fleming
Dr. No (Primary source)
Dr. No is the sixth novel in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series, marking the first appearance of the eponymous villain and introducing the tropical exoticism that would become a hallmark of the franchise.
“Surround yourself with human beings, my dear James. They are easier to fight for than principles.”
— Ian Fleming Primary source“When the odds are hopeless, when all seems to be lost, then is the time to be calm, to make a show of authority—at least of indifference.”
— Ian Fleming Primary sourceThis 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’.”
“It’s never too early to start winning.”
— Ian Fleming Primary source“For every friend whom he loses for truth, he gains a better.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson Primary source“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“I have never seen the philosopher’s stone that turns lead into gold, but I have known the pursuit of it turn a man’s gold into lead.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Rationality is something you get slowly and it has a variable result. But it’s better than not having it.”
— Charlie Munger Primary source