"All the greatest men are maniacs. They are possessed by a mania which drives them forward towards their goal. The great scientists, the philosophers, the religious leaders - all maniacs. What else but a blind singleness of purpose could have given focus to their genius, would have kept them in the groove of purpose. Mania. . . is as priceless as genius."
When Bond questions No's sharp commitment to his vision, he accuses the villain of insanity. No replies by defending his position. He argues that all the great men of history were insane. They would have to be insane in order to pursue their goals so relentlessly. In his case, he believes his mental instability, his obsessive nature, is his second greatest tool, next to intellect.
"How do you know there aren't such things as dragons? . . . What do you think you know about animals and things? I've lived with snakes and things since I was a child. Alone. Have you ever seen a praying mantis eat her husband after they've made love? Have you ever seen the mongoose dance? Or an octopus dance? How long is a hummingbird's tongue? Have you ever had a pet snake that wore a bell round its neck and rang it to wake you? Have you seen a scorpion get sunstroke and kill itself with its own sting? Have you ever seen the carpet of flowers under the sea at night? Do you know that a John Crow can smell a dead lizard a mile away? Oh, you're just city folk like all the rest."
Bond tells Honey that the mysterious "beast" she's seen shoot fire isn't a dragon because dragons don't exist. She argues that he couldn't possibly know that because he doesn't understand animals the way she does. Raised on the island, Honey knows the intricate habits and relationships of the creatures around her. Because she knows the animals so well, she believes she is better equipped to judge whether what she saw was a dragon or not. If he dismisses her experience, then he is just like the other ignorant visitors to her island. Honey was raped by a foreigner, a tourist if you will, so she harbors deep mistrust for outsiders.
"They paddled easily, in unison, the paddles turning in their hands so that they did not leave the water on the forward stroke. The small waves slapped softly against the bows. Otherwise they made no noise. It was dark. Nobody saw them go. They just left the land and went off across the sea."
Bond and Honey escape from the clutches of Dr. No by paddling off in the night. Once they're free from the chaotic scene inside No's facility, they meet the sharp contrast of a peaceful island night. They steal a boat and paddle silently off into the night. Leaving all fear behind, they're finally safe. This feeling is especially profound for Honey because she had lived her entire life, both alone and in fear, up to that point after the death of her parents. Since birth, she'd only known that island. To be with Bond and to feel safe means that she can finally find peace.
"He says courage is a capital sum reduced by expenditure."
When M sends Bond off on his latest mission, he admonishes him for Bond's actions on his last mission. He tells Bond to be more careful this time. In his job as head of MI6, M has to view the actions of his agents from multiple perspectives, including economically. If Bond continues to endanger himself and behave recklessly, he will cost the agency. After receiving chastisement from his own superiors, M tells Bond not to think himself brave for taking risks because that's not best in the big picture of both of their jobs.
