“A reasonable number of fleas is good for a dog”

“A reasonable number of fleas is good for a dog” is a proverb Tiger Tanaka offers James Bond as reassurance that a little trouble can serve a useful purpose. Its second sentence sharpens the image: “Otherwise the dog forgets he is a dog.” In the scene, the saying lends a compact, wry shape to the value of staying alert rather than becoming complacent.

The Proverb in Context

The proverb comes after Bond has decided to conceal Doctor Shatterhand’s identity. He fears that disclosure would send the Japanese Secret Service and the CIA to Fukuoka, bring about the arrest of Ernst Stavro Blofeld and Irma Bunt, and deprive him of his personal revenge. His laugh sounds harsh and false even to himself, but he keeps the secret and turns to practical questions, determined to get the details right before beginning the mission.

Tiger’s Reassurance

Tiger is relieved to hear Bond’s questions and says he is pleased by the care Bond is taking in advance. He offers the proverb as his final Japanese saying, treating Bond’s worries not as a defect but as the useful irritation that can keep a person mindful. The image is deliberately modest: fleas are bothersome, yet their presence prevents the dog from forgetting its own nature.

Bond’s Recognition

Bond answers, “Good old Basho!” The brief response shows that he recognizes the saying or associates it with Basho, without establishing more about its origin. The exchange also marks a contrast in the scene: Bond’s laugh has exposed the strain beneath his controlled manner, while Tiger’s proverb meets that strain with warmth and humor. The saying’s force lies in that balance—trouble is unwelcome, but a manageable measure of it can preserve alertness.