--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A Buddhist teacher once said that a…" description: "\"“A Buddhist teacher once said that a poisonous snake is only poisonous when you walk toward it.”\" — Daniel Gottlieb" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg" --- # A Buddhist teacher once said that a poisonous snake is… ![“A Buddhist teacher once said that a poisonous snake is only poisonous when you walk toward it.” quote by Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg) > ““A Buddhist teacher once said that a poisonous snake is only poisonous when you walk toward it.”” [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Danger feels threatening only when we approach it; avoidance reduces fear. **In simple terms:** Fear grows when you confront danger. Key Takeaway Maintain distance from harmful situations. Themes fear mindfulness danger avoidance perception Mood cautious thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - walking near snakes - conflict resolution - stressful environments Key Concepts psychology risk assessment mental health Questions to Reflect On - Do you face fears head‑on or retreat? - When is confronting danger necessary? A Different Perspective Some risks require engagement to overcome. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Buddhism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) [Poisonous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poisonous/) [Poisonous Snake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poisonous-snake-2159630/) [Poisonous Walk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poisonous-walk-3099314/) [Said Poisonous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-poisonous-4961349/) [Snake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snake/) [Snake Poisonous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snake-poisonous-1312322/) ## Related quotes > [“A poisonous snake is only poisonous when you walk towards it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/a-poisonous-snake-is-only-poisonous-when-you-walk-towards-it/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [Even if a snake is not poisonous, it should pretend to be venomous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/even-if-a-snake-is-not-poisonous-it-should-pretend-to-be-venomous/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The taipan is the one to watch out for. It is the most poisonous snake on Earth, with a lunge so swift and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/the-taipan-is-the-one-to-watch-out-for-it-is-the-most-poisonous-snake/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bosco/fly-from-bad-companions-as-from-the-bite-of-a-poisonous-snake/) [John Bosco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bosco/) > [There's more to someone being lovable than the way they look." "...he told me that the way you can tell if a bug or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-s-more-to-someone-being-lovable-than-the-way-they-look-he-told/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [“All day and all night my desire for you unwinds like a poisonous snake.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samar-sen/all-day-and-all-night-my-desire-for-you-unwinds-like-a-poisonous-snake/) [Samar Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samar-sen/) > [A funny thing is if you're out hiking and your friend gets bit by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going for help, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-handey/a-funny-thing-is-if-you-re-out-hiking-and-your-friend-gets-bit-by-a/) [Jack Handey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-handey/) > [A funny thing to do is, if you're out hiking and your friend gets bitten by a poisonous snake, tell him you're going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sangfroid-stalker/a-funny-thing-to-do-is-if-you-re-out-hiking-and-your-friend-gets/) [SangFroid Stalker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sangfroid-stalker/) > [In the jungle, I can kill and eat a poisonous snake to survive. But on Bigg Boss' I'd be chewed alive by those man-eaters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhinav-shukla/in-the-jungle-i-can-kill-and-eat-a-poisonous-snake-to-survive-but-on/) [Abhinav Shukla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhinav-shukla/) > [“It was strange how she found out, One moment she didn't know; the next minute she did. One moment her mind was as blank…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thrity-umrigar/it-was-strange-how-she-found-out-one-moment-she-didn-t-know-the-next/) [Thrity Umrigar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thrity-umrigar/) > [Not all the snakes are poisonous and not all the poisons are deadly! Keep this in mind when bitten.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/not-all-the-snakes-are-poisonous-and-not-all-the-poisons-are-deadly/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [I really think I like poisonous snakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bindi-irwin/i-really-think-i-like-poisonous-snakes/) [Bindi Irwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bindi-irwin/) > [The poisonous serpent of afflictions is sleeping in your mind; just as if a black viper were asleep in your room. You must use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/the-poisonous-serpent-of-afflictions-is-sleeping-in-your-mind-just-as/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [Other countries may boast of this and that, but nobody can touch the United States for poisonous snakes. We have about twenty species, most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/other-countries-may-boast-of-this-and-that-but-nobody-can-touch-the/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [I've never been in a situation where I had to run for my life, but I've been bitten by a lot of poisonous snakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/i-ve-never-been-in-a-situation-where-i-had-to-run-for-my-life-but-i/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) ## More by Daniel Gottlieb > [“One day you will die, but death is not your enemy and it only makes you to appreciate life's gifts more with each passing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/one-day-you-will-die-but-death-is-not-your-enemy-and-it-only-makes/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“What you are about, is more important than who you are”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/what-you-are-about-is-more-important-than-who-you-are/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“I think honesty and love help to create the safety that children need to just be children. If we want them to “fix” us,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/i-think-honesty-and-love-help-to-create-the-safety-that-children-need/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“More often than not, it’s disrespectful to them (our children) - and disrespectful to their struggle with their tasks in life- if our own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/more-often-than-not-it-s-disrespectful-to-them-our-children-and/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“It’s very difficult to give up on things we can’t control. And that’s what a divorce represents. It represents the ultimate loss of control,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/it-s-very-difficult-to-give-up-on-things-we-can-t-control-and-that-s/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“the wall is there to teach us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/the-wall-is-there-to-teach-us/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“So many of us suffer because we are trying to live the life we once had or the life we wish for. Life is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/so-many-of-us-suffer-because-we-are-trying-to-live-the-life-we-once/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“Real security only comes when we are comfortable with who we are, real happiness is a byproduct of a life well lived.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/real-security-only-comes-when-we-are-comfortable-with-who-we-are-real/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“Last month, on a very windy day, I was returning from a lecture I had given to a group in Fort Washington. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/last-month-on-a-very-windy-day-i-was-returning-from-a-lecture-i-had/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“Giving to others is most precious when it is done quietly and selflessly. Righteous indignation is like candy when you’re starving. It feels good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/giving-to-others-is-most-precious-when-it-is-done-quietly-and/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“It's a funny thing about life, I think we're born square and we die round”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/it-s-a-funny-thing-about-life-i-think-we-re-born-square-and-we-die/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“The world is much bigger than you thought”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/the-world-is-much-bigger-than-you-thought/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“God told Abraham to leave his home and set for journey and to have faith of being taken care of. Not just an external…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/god-told-abraham-to-leave-his-home-and-set-for-journey-and-to-have/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“Your physical well being and thus your mental state, is God-given responsibility to you. Tending to them and get a clear sense of what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/your-physical-well-being-and-thus-your-mental-state-is-god-given/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) > [“Like all buses, it comes when it comes. You can wait with frustations, angers or feeling of victimhoods or you can wait with patience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/like-all-buses-it-comes-when-it-comes-you-can-wait-with-frustations/) [Daniel Gottlieb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) [Explore all 41 Daniel Gottlieb quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/) ## More Buddhism quotes > [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Enlightenment is lightening up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-myers/enlightenment-is-lightening-up/) [Mike Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-myers/) > [The very best players, when they are practicing, put everything they've got into it. But then they leave it for a while. And it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/the-very-best-players-when-they-are-practicing-put-everything-they-ve/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I think the most miraculous thing is learning. I get out of the way and let the students learn. Then you get to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-the-most-miraculous-thing-is-learning-i-get-out-of-the-way/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Exactly. I think the original tantric Buddhists took notice of was some very wise old people who never studied in their youth, but took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-niemczura/exactly-i-think-the-original-tantric-buddhists-took-notice-of-was/) [Joe Niemczura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-niemczura/) > [A human being can only absorb a small amount of the mystical kundalini, you can be exposed again and again to it, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-human-being-can-only-absorb-a-small-amount-of-the-mystical/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [One of the things I regret about not putting in that book or I think it's there but I didn't really elaborate on it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-warner/one-of-the-things-i-regret-about-not-putting-in-that-book-or-i-think/) [Brad Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-warner/) > [My mom and my aunties are really devout Christians. My mom married a Muslim when I was 12, so I got teachings from both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tech-n9ne/my-mom-and-my-aunties-are-really-devout-christians-my-mom-married-a/) [Tech N9ne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tech-n9ne/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“The extraction of discrete parts of Chöd teachings from their broader philosophical contexts is symptomatic of how Chöd has been incorporated into and transmitted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-sorensen/the-extraction-of-discrete-parts-of-ch-d-teachings-from-their-broader/) [Michelle Sorensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-sorensen/) > [Buddhism advises you not to implant feelings that you don’t really have or avoid feelings that you do have. If you are miserable you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/buddhism-advises-you-not-to-implant-feelings-that-you-don-t-really/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“That's all there is, enlightenment on the end of a cock. It doesn't get any more Zen than that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-wilkes/that-s-all-there-is-enlightenment-on-the-end-of-a-cock-it-doesn-t-get/) [Jaden Wilkes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-wilkes/) > [Aging is like enlightenment at gunpoint. Before I had cancer, I lived my life for my art. After I had cancer, I lived my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-halprin/aging-is-like-enlightenment-at-gunpoint-before-i-had-cancer-i-lived/) [Anna Halprin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-halprin/) [Browse all 6,100 Buddhism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buddhism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“A Buddhist teacher once said that a poisonous snake is only poisonous when you walk toward it.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Daniel Gottlieb" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-poisonous-snake-is-only-poisonous/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Buddhism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-poisonous-snake-is-only-poisonous/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/066/daniel-gottlieb-16071_buddhism_a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-pois_1409227.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A Buddhist teacher once said that a poisonous snake is only poisonous when you walk toward it.” — Daniel Gottlieb", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Daniel Gottlieb", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-gottlieb/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“A Buddhist teacher once said that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-poisonous-snake-is-only-poisonous/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-gottlieb/a-buddhist-teacher-once-said-that-a-poisonous-snake-is-only-poisonous/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```