--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Can a viper lie still before it strikes?…" description: "\"“Can a viper lie still before it strikes? Can a wild dog lick your hand before it snaps at your neck?”\" — Leigh Bardugo" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/leigh-bardugo-252_viper_can-a-viper-lie-still-before-it-strikes_2678983.png" --- # Can a viper lie still before it strikes? Can a wild dog… ![“Can a viper lie still before it strikes? Can a wild dog lick your hand before it snaps at your neck?” quote by Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/leigh-bardugo-252_viper_can-a-viper-lie-still-before-it-strikes_2678983.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/leigh-bardugo-252_viper_can-a-viper-lie-still-before-it-strikes_2678983.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef1/leigh-bardugo-252_viper_can-a-viper-lie-still-before-it-strikes_2678983.png) > ““Can a viper lie still before it strikes? Can a wild dog lick your hand before it snaps at your neck?”” [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that seemingly harmless or friendly appearances can mask dangerous intentions, urging caution before trusting. **In simple terms:** Looks friendly things can be dangerous. Key Takeaway Beware hidden threats. Themes trust danger perception caution deception Mood wary thoughtful Type advice warning When to use this quote - new relationships - business negotiations - online interactions - political alliances Key Concepts human nature risk assessment social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do you assess true intentions? - What signs reveal hidden danger? A Different Perspective Even cautious people can be misled by charm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dog Lick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog-lick-2565035/) [Lick Hand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lick-hand-1876637/) [Viper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viper/) [Viper Lie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viper-lie-2565034/) [Wild Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wild-dog-407517/) ## Related quotes > [“Have you seen a dog lick the hand that thrashed it?!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-mayakovsky/have-you-seen-a-dog-lick-the-hand-that-thrashed-it/) [Vladimir Mayakovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-mayakovsky/) > [The difference between dog and human is that dog only lick his ass by himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-difference-between-dog-and-human-is-that-dog-only-lick-his-ass-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Only a dog would lick a finger pointed in anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-thomas/only-a-dog-would-lick-a-finger-pointed-in-anger/) [Jason Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-thomas/) > [“Fate," Bizzy said, "adjusts quicker 'n a hungery dog can lick a dish.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-anne-kogler/fate-bizzy-said-adjusts-quicker-n-a-hungery-dog-can-lick-a-dish/) [Jennifer Anne Kogler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-anne-kogler/) > [“I reached in and let him lick my hand. 'Yeller,' I said, 'I'll be back. I'm promising that I'll be back.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-gipson/i-reached-in-and-let-him-lick-my-hand-yeller-i-said-i-ll-be-back-i-m/) [Fred Gipson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-gipson/) > [“Lick hand. Sprinkle salt. Do the shot. Suck the lemon.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gemma-burgess/lick-hand-sprinkle-salt-do-the-shot-suck-the-lemon/) [Gemma Burgess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gemma-burgess/) > [“A dog is just as eager to lick the hand of a bad master as he is to lick the hand of a good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-eyes-of-the-dragon/a-dog-is-just-as-eager-to-lick-the-hand-of-a-bad-master-as-he-is-to/) [The Eyes of the Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-eyes-of-the-dragon/) > [When your friend covers your mouth, you lick their hand!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lolsotrue-2/when-your-friend-covers-your-mouth-you-lick-their-hand/) [Lolsotrue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lolsotrue-2/) > [For an actress who really hasn’t gotten to act for two years, it was like letting a wild dog out of its cage,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vanessa-lengies/for-an-actress-who-really-hasn-t-gotten-to-act-for-two-years-it-was/) [Vanessa Lengies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vanessa-lengies/) > [“In the words of the Mongolian creation myth: ‘There came a wild dog who was blue and gray and whose destiny was imposed on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/in-the-words-of-the-mongolian-creation-myth-there-came-a-wild-dog-who/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [“Where are the ethical concerns, that so many people called animal lovers invoke, when you steal the children of wild dog mothers and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-nther-bloch/where-are-the-ethical-concerns-that-so-many-people-called-animal/) [Günther Bloch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-nther-bloch/) > [I'm so excited to appear in 'Wild Dog.' I believe it will be one of the most memorable movies in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seo-in-guk/i-m-so-excited-to-appear-in-wild-dog-i-believe-it-will-be-one-of-the/) [Seo In-guk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seo-in-guk/) > [When the Man waked up he said, 'What is Wild Dog doing here?' And the Woman said, 'His name is not Wild Dog any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudyard-kipling/when-the-man-waked-up-he-said-what-is-wild-dog-doing-here-and-the/) [Rudyard Kipling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudyard-kipling/) > [“Via the conduit of a wild dog pack, she has now made the ultimate Gift to her fellow Creatures, and has become part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/via-the-conduit-of-a-wild-dog-pack-she-has-now-made-the-ultimate-gift/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [You've got to keep a dog with you at all times. A dog cannot roam. You've got to keep him in the house with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-foreman/you-ve-got-to-keep-a-dog-with-you-at-all-times-a-dog-cannot-roam-you/) [George Foreman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-foreman/) ## More by Leigh Bardugo > [“Aleksander." His eyes fluttered shut. "Don't let me be alone," he murmured. And then he was gone.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/aleksander-his-eyes-fluttered-shut-don-t-let-me-be-alone-he-murmured/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I don't care if you danced naked on the roof of the Little Palace with him. I love you, Alina, even the part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-don-t-care-if-you-danced-naked-on-the-roof-of-the-little-palace/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej frowned. “I thought you and Nina chose four outbreak sites on the Staves.” Kaz straightened his cuffs. “I also had her stop at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-frowned-i-thought-you-and-nina-chose-four-outbreak-sites-on-the/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I rolled my eyes. "For defending my honor, you dullard." He yanked me beneath a shadowed awning. I had a moment's panic when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-rolled-my-eyes-for-defending-my-honor-you-dullard-he-yanked-me/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“They're all crazy, Oncat. Invisible armies, monster princes. Let's go set fire to something.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/they-re-all-crazy-oncat-invisible-armies-monster-princes-let-s-go-set/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Saints!" I swore. "I forgot how often I want to stab you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/saints-i-swore-i-forgot-how-often-i-want-to-stab-you/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Inej knew the moment Kaz entered the Slat. His presence reverberated through the cramped rooms and crooked hallways as every thug, thief, dealer, con…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/inej-knew-the-moment-kaz-entered-the-slat-his-presence-reverberated/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“I've risked my life for you. I've walked half the length of Ravka for you, and I'd do it again and again and again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-risked-my-life-for-you-i-ve-walked-half-the-length-of-ravka-for/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“You never know," said Nikolai. "I've been busy. I might have some surprises in store for the Darkling yet." "Please tell me you plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/you-never-know-said-nikolai-i-ve-been-busy-i-might-have-some/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Sure we do," said Theo, swatting at a branch. "We get to the spring, Alia gets cured. We argue over the best choice for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/sure-we-do-said-theo-swatting-at-a-branch-we-get-to-the-spring-alia/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“But I pushed down my confused tears and did as she asked, still hoping that whatever I’d broken might be repaired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/but-i-pushed-down-my-confused-tears-and-did-as-she-asked-still-hoping/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“There, she wrote fantastical tales that charmed children, and under another name, she penned rather more lurid works that kept her in nougat and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/there-she-wrote-fantastical-tales-that-charmed-children-and-under/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Short on friends, your highness?" "And long on enemies," replied Nikolai.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/short-on-friends-your-highness-and-long-on-enemies-replied-nikolai/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [“Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/jesper-knocked-his-head-against-the-hull-and-cast-his-eyes-heavenward/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) [Explore all 782 Leigh Bardugo quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) ## More Viper quotes > [If a viper lives in your room and you wish to have a peaceful sleep, you must first chase it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/if-a-viper-lives-in-your-room-and-you-wish-to-have-a-peaceful-sleep/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [“You think this is some sort of comedy going on here?” Collins gave him his tough stare. A little red spark flared in Barabas’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilona-andrews/you-think-this-is-some-sort-of-comedy-going-on-here-collins-gave-him/) [Ilona Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilona-andrews/) > [“Feeling her strength return right along with her annoyance, Dagmar stepped back and raised her foot, slamming it down on the tip. “Ow! Evil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/feeling-her-strength-return-right-along-with-her-annoyance-dagmar/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [“A thousand sweet words can never disguise the rattle of a viper about to strike.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanda-hahn/a-thousand-sweet-words-can-never-disguise-the-rattle-of-a-viper-about/) [Chanda Hahn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanda-hahn/) > [“I am not blind, nor deaf. I know you all believe me weak, frightened, feeble. Your father knew me better. Oberyn was ever the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/i-am-not-blind-nor-deaf-i-know-you-all-believe-me-weak-frightened/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [“Ronan looked as pleased as a pit viper ever could.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/ronan-looked-as-pleased-as-a-pit-viper-ever-could/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [“El Vibora—The Viper. A sexy, badass motherfucker. Part-time underground fighter and full-time thug. The primary concern when fighting El Vibora isn’t winning…it’s not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kele-moon/el-vibora-the-viper-a-sexy-badass-motherfucker-part-time-underground/) [Kele Moon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kele-moon/) > [“The Incredibly Deadly Viper is one of the least dangerous and most friendly creatures in the animal kingdom. Sunny has nothing to worry about,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/the-incredibly-deadly-viper-is-one-of-the-least-dangerous-and-most/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [The Red Viper enjoys life. He does not discriminate in his pleasures. This is the way he understands life, to live it to its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-pascal/the-red-viper-enjoys-life-he-does-not-discriminate-in-his-pleasures/) [Pedro Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-pascal/) > [LIFE IS AS POSINOUS AS A viper :(](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/obeymzzkirlene/life-is-as-posinous-as-a-viper/) [ObeyMzzKirlene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/obeymzzkirlene/) > [“Your mother did seem like cold, unfeeling viper determined to destroy world. . . . I like that in woman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-a-aiken/your-mother-did-seem-like-cold-unfeeling-viper-determined-to-destroy/) [G.A. Aiken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-a-aiken/) > [I was bitten by a viper; there were two marks on my hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hina-khan/i-was-bitten-by-a-viper-there-were-two-marks-on-my-hand/) [Hina Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hina-khan/) > [“Most haters are like the cobras they spits evil and deadly venom , but don’t let the Viper’s bite poison you, kill them slowly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/motherly-love/most-haters-are-like-the-cobras-they-spits-evil-and-deadly-venom-but/) [Motherly Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/motherly-love/) > [“A crow hovered above him, drifting in the rain like a strange banner. Swaying from side to side, bent almost double, Sora still thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viper-s-creed-t-l-shreffler/a-crow-hovered-above-him-drifting-in-the-rain-like-a-strange-banner/) [Viper's Creed - T.L. Shreffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viper-s-creed-t-l-shreffler/) > [“It’s all true.” Venom’s hair lifted up in the wind coming through his open window, his profile so astonishingly perfect that her breath caught…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/it-s-all-true-venom-s-hair-lifted-up-in-the-wind-coming-through-his/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) [Browse all 30 Viper quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/viper/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Can a viper lie still before it strikes? 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