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AN 5.230

Black Snakes (2nd)

Dutiyakaṇhasappasutta

from: 23. Long Wandering

Black Snakes (2nd)

“Mendicants, there are these five drawbacks of a black snake. What five? It’s irritable, acrimonious, venomous, fork-tongued, and treacherous. These are the five dangers of a black snake.

In the same way there are five drawbacks of a lady. What five? She’s irritable, acrimonious, venomous, fork-tongued, and treacherous. This is a lady’s venom: usually she’s very lustful. This is a lady’s forked tongue: usually she backbites. This is a lady’s treachery: usually she’s an adulteress. These are the five drawbacks of a lady.”

Translation: German (Ayyā Sabbamittā), English (Bhikkhu Sujato). Source: SuttaCentral / Bilara (public domain, CC0).

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