Question

What does the reported use of the words "dead men don't bite" in these lines suggest about the character Billy? "Billy was the man for that," said Israel. "'Dead men don't bite,' says he. Well, he's dead now hisself; he knows the long and short on it now; . . ." (from Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson) He led a rough life. He was a jovial character. He did not like to think about the future. His friends had died of old age.

Answer 1

If you wanted to be safe from a possible enemy, kill him so he cannot harm you, bite you.