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I hate and fear snakes, because if you look into the eyes…

“I hate and fear snakes, because if you look into the eyes of any snake you will see that it knows all and more of the mystery of man's fall, and that it feels all the contempt that the Devil felt when Adam was evicted from Eden. Besides which its bite is generally fatal, and it twists up trouser…” quote by Rudyard Kipling
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““I hate and fear snakes, because if you look into the eyes of any snake you will see that it knows all and more of the mystery of man's fall, and that it feels all the contempt that the Devil felt when Adam was evicted from Eden. Besides which its bite is generally fatal, and it twists up trouser legs. ("The Return Of Imray")””

Rudyard Kipling

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Snakes symbolize deep, terrifying knowledge of humanity’s fall, embodying both divine mystery and devilish contempt, while also being physically dangerous.

In simple terms: Snakes represent dangerous knowledge and evil.

Key Takeaway

Respect the power of symbols, but beware fear.

Themes

mythology fear symbolism

Mood

dark introspective

Type

literary mythic

When to use this quote

  • literary analysis
  • psychology
  • spiritual study

Key Concepts

evil knowledge danger

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the snake symbolize for you?
  • How do fear and knowledge intertwine?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on symbolism may ignore literal threats.

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