--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who give you a serpent when you ask…" description: "\"Those who give you a serpent when you ask for a fish, may have nothing but serpents to give.\" — Khalil Gibran" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg" --- # Those who give you a serpent when you ask for a fish, may… ![“Those who give you a serpent when you ask for a fish, may have nothing but serpents to give.” quote by Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg) > “Those who give you a serpent when you ask for a fish, may have nothing but serpents to give.” [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Offering a serpent instead of a fish symbolizes false promises; beware of deceptive generosity. **In simple terms:** Beware false gifts disguised as help. Key Takeaway Discern true intentions. Themes deception generosity trust Mood cautious reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - relationships - business deals - charitable acts Key Concepts ethical discernment symbolic meaning Questions to Reflect On - How do you evaluate offers? - What signs indicate genuine help? A Different Perspective Some gifts may have hidden value. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fish/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Judgement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgement/) [Serpent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serpent/) [Serpents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serpents/) ## Related quotes > [The very serpents bite their tails; the bees forget to sting, For a language so celestial setteth up a wondering. And the touch of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathalia-crane/the-very-serpents-bite-their-tails-the-bees-forget-to-sting-for-a/) [Nathalia Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathalia-crane/) > [Those base men who speak of the secret faults of others destroy themselves like serpents that stray onto anthills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/those-base-men-who-speak-of-the-secret-faults-of-others-destroy/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [...those serpents! There's no pleasing them!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-carroll/those-serpents-there-s-no-pleasing-them/) [Lewis Carroll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-carroll/) > [The gods have sent medicines for the venom of serpents, but there is no medicine for a bad woman. She is more noxious than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/the-gods-have-sent-medicines-for-the-venom-of-serpents-but-there-is/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [Where there is the tree of knowledge, there is always Paradise: so say the most ancient and most modern serpents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/where-there-is-the-tree-of-knowledge-there-is-always-paradise-so-say/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [All men possess in their bodies a poison which acts upon serpents; and the human saliva, it is said, makes them take to flight,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pliny-the-elder/all-men-possess-in-their-bodies-a-poison-which-acts-upon-serpents-and/) [Pliny the Elder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pliny-the-elder/) > [“Presently a serpent sought them out privately, and came to them walking upright, which was the way of serpents in those days. The serpent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/presently-a-serpent-sought-them-out-privately-and-came-to-them/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Among all the kinds of serpents, there is none comparable to the Dragon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-topsell/among-all-the-kinds-of-serpents-there-is-none-comparable-to-the-dragon/) [Edward Topsell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-topsell/) > [Red serpents, fiery forms, and yelling hags, Fit company for mad adventurers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-freneau/red-serpents-fiery-forms-and-yelling-hags-fit-company-for-mad/) [Philip Freneau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-freneau/) > [“I hate and fear snakes, because if you look into the eyes of any snake you will see that it knows all and more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/i-hate-and-fear-snakes-because-if-you-look-into-the-eyes-of-any-snake/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [I have seen some who did not know when to turn aside their eyes in meeting yours. A truly confident and magnanimous spirit is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/i-have-seen-some-who-did-not-know-when-to-turn-aside-their-eyes-in/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [Trying to ask me to live without u is like trying to ask a fish how to live without water...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-andrew/trying-to-ask-me-to-live-without-u-is-like-trying-to-ask-a-fish-how/) [JuLian AndRew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-andrew/) > [“If you want to know what the water is like, don't ask the fish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reddit/if-you-want-to-know-what-the-water-is-like-don-t-ask-the-fish/) Reddit > [“What do I say to a whale, Galen?" I hiss. "Tell him to come closer." "No way." "Fine. Tell him to back up." I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/what-do-i-say-to-a-whale-galen-i-hiss-tell-him-to-come-closer-no-way/) [Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/) > [If you ask the fish whether they'd rather have an oil spill or a season of fishing, I wouldn't be surprised if they'd vote…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-safina/if-you-ask-the-fish-whether-they-d-rather-have-an-oil-spill-or-a/) [Carl Safina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-safina/) ## More by Khalil Gibran > [Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/your-pain-is-the-breaking-of-the-shell-that-encloses-your/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [If you are poor, shun association with him who measures men with the yardstick of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/if-you-are-poor-shun-association-with-him-who-measures-men-with-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Hate is a dead thing. Who of you would be a tomb?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/hate-is-a-dead-thing-who-of-you-would-be-a-tomb/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Seek ye counsel of the aged for their eyes have looked on the faces of the years and their ears have hardened to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/seek-ye-counsel-of-the-aged-for-their-eyes-have-looked-on-the-faces/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The truly just is he who feels half guilty of your misdeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-truly-just-is-he-who-feels-half-guilty-of-your-misdeeds/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“follow the steps trust them and yourself”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/follow-the-steps-trust-them-and-yourself/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Beauty is not a need but an ecstasy. It is not a mouth thirsting nor an empty hand stretched forth, But rather a heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/beauty-is-not-a-need-but-an-ecstasy-it-is-not-a-mouth-thirsting-nor/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [I have never agreed with my other self wholly. The truth of the matter seems to lie between us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/i-have-never-agreed-with-my-other-self-wholly-the-truth-of-the-matter/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“That which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/that-which-sings-and-contemplates-in-you-is-still-dwelling-within-the/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [You pray in your distress and in your need; would that you might also pray in the fullness of your joy and in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/you-pray-in-your-distress-and-in-your-need-would-that-you-might-also/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [“The veil that clouds your eyes shall be lifted by the hands that wove it, And the clay that fills your ears shall be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/the-veil-that-clouds-your-eyes-shall-be-lifted-by-the-hands-that-wove/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/work-is-love-made-visible-and-if-you-cannot-work-with-love-but-only/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [joy and sorrow are inseparable. . . together they come and when one sits alone with you . . remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/joy-and-sorrow-are-inseparable-together-they-come-and-when-one-sits/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [Like the ocean is your god-self; It remains for ever undefiled. And like the ether it lifts but the winged. Even like the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/like-the-ocean-is-your-god-self-it-remains-for-ever-undefiled-and/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) [Explore all 688 Khalil Gibran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) ## More Asks quotes > [If you ask an introvert a question, wait until she thinks about it. Introverts think before speaking, not through speaking. If you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-helgoe/if-you-ask-an-introvert-a-question-wait-until-she-thinks-about-it/) [Laurie Helgoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-helgoe/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. 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If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [There is nothing more I ask of this life than this moment, exactly so. And suddenly forever seems like too short a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-andreas/there-is-nothing-more-i-ask-of-this-life-than-this-moment-exactly-so/) [Brian Andreas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-andreas/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [The most fundamental question we can ever ask ourselves is whether or not the universe we live in is friendly or hostile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-most-fundamental-question-we-can-ever-ask-ourselves-is-whether-or/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The rich people are apparently leaving America. They're giving up their citizenship. These great lovers of America who made their money in this country-when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernie-sanders/the-rich-people-are-apparently-leaving-america-they-re-giving-up/) [Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernie-sanders/) > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [Ask God for temp'rance. That's th' appliance only Which your disease requires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/ask-god-for-temp-rance-that-s-th-appliance-only-which-your-disease/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [I don't know how to say it exactly. Only...I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?' he asks. I shake my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-don-t-know-how-to-say-it-exactly-only-i-want-to-die-as-myself-does/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Physicist Isador Isaac Rabi, who won a Nobel Prize for inventing a technique that permitted scientists to probe the structure of atoms and molecules…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-saul-wurman/physicist-isador-isaac-rabi-who-won-a-nobel-prize-for-inventing-a/) [Richard Saul Wurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-saul-wurman/) Browse all 7,138 Asks quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who give you a serpent when you ask for a fish, may have nothing but serpents to give.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Khalil Gibran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-ask-for-a-fish-may-have-nothing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asks" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-ask-for-a-fish-may-have-nothing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/748/khalil-gibran-286_asks_those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-as_1646504.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those who give you a serpent when you ask for a fish, may have nothing but serpents to give.” — Khalil Gibran", "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": "Khalil Gibran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Those who give you a serpent...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-ask-for-a-fish-may-have-nothing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/those-who-give-you-a-serpent-when-you-ask-for-a-fish-may-have-nothing/#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 } } ] } ```