A Rattlesnake, if Cornered will become so angry it will…
“A Rattlesnake, if Cornered will become so angry it will bite itself. That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is -- a biting of oneself. We think we are harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Holding hatred harms the holder more than the target, akin to a snake biting itself when cornered.
In simple terms: Hate hurts you; let go to heal.
Release resentment, protect yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- personal relationships
- conflict resolution
- mental health
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to forgive?
- How does letting go change your wellbeing?
Changing deep‑seated grudges can be difficult and slow.