--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I am staring into the hissing face of a…" description: "\"“I am staring into the hissing face of a cobra. A surprisingly pink tongue slithers in and out of a cruel mouth while an Indian man whose eyes are the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/libba-bray-259_cobra_i-am-staring-into-the-hissing-face-of-a_1184045.png" --- # I am staring into the hissing face of a cobra. A… ![“I am staring into the hissing face of a cobra. A surprisingly pink tongue slithers in and out of a cruel mouth while an Indian man whose eyes are the blue of blindless inclines his head towards my mother and explains in Hindi that cobras make very good eating.” quote by Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/libba-bray-259_cobra_i-am-staring-into-the-hissing-face-of-a_1184045.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/libba-bray-259_cobra_i-am-staring-into-the-hissing-face-of-a_1184045.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9d/libba-bray-259_cobra_i-am-staring-into-the-hissing-face-of-a_1184045.png) > ““I am staring into the hissing face of a cobra. A surprisingly pink tongue slithers in and out of a cruel mouth while an Indian man whose eyes are the blue of blindless inclines his head towards my mother and explains in Hindi that cobras make very good eating.”” [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A vivid, surreal description of danger and cultural clash, using a cobra encounter to symbolize looming threats and the unknown. **In simple terms:** A dangerous scene mixes fear and cultural tension. Key Takeaway Recognize and confront hidden dangers. Themes danger culture surrealism conflict Mood tense exotic Type narrative descriptive When to use this quote - travel - fieldwork - first‑hand encounters - cross‑cultural interactions Key Concepts symbolism identity colonialism Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond when faced with an unfamiliar threat? - What does the cobra represent in your life? A Different Perspective The metaphor may obscure practical advice on safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cobra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cobra/) [Snake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/snake/) ## Related quotes > [What are you? Weak? Don’t tell me you want me to spare this pathetic animal when it wouldn’t show you any such mercy. Believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/what-are-you-weak-don-t-tell-me-you-want-me-to-spare-this-pathetic/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [I've never actually met one in the wild, but I have seen a king cobra. They go towards people, they rear up six feet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-attenborough/i-ve-never-actually-met-one-in-the-wild-but-i-have-seen-a-king-cobra/) [David Attenborough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-attenborough/) > [I am from the jungle where the lion eats the cobra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/i-am-from-the-jungle-where-the-lion-eats-the-cobra/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [Mental activity is like a deadly poisonous cobra. If we don't interfere with a cobra, how poisonous it may be, it simply goes its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ajahn-chah/mental-activity-is-like-a-deadly-poisonous-cobra-if-we-don-t/) [Ajahn Chah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ajahn-chah/) > [May God keep you away from the venom of the cobra, the teeth of the tiger, and the revenge of the Afghans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-the-great/may-god-keep-you-away-from-the-venom-of-the-cobra-the-teeth-of-the/) [Alexander the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-the-great/) > [Nature shows suck ass, though cobras are pretty sweet. Pretty much any animal that has a gang named after it is pretty bad ass.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-wentz/nature-shows-suck-ass-though-cobras-are-pretty-sweet-pretty-much-any/) [Pete Wentz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-wentz/) > [Like a cobra, your strike should be felt before it is seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/like-a-cobra-your-strike-should-be-felt-before-it-is-seen/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [Love a cobra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobra/love-a-cobra/) Cobra > [~Just wanna say congratz to Cobra and Patience~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-gone/just-wanna-say-congratz-to-cobra-and-patience/) She's\_gone > [“the cobra effect.” As the story goes, a British overlord in colonial India thought there were far too many cobras in Delhi. So he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-cobra-effect-as-the-story-goes-a-british-overlord-in-colonial/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nyoka ni mnyama mdogo lakini anayeogopwa hata na majambazi wakubwa. Adui wa dirishani alipogeuka kumwangalia Murphy, alimwangalia pia mwenzake na kucheka bila Murphy kujua…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enock-maregesi/nyoka-ni-mnyama-mdogo-lakini-anayeogopwa-hata-na-majambazi-wakubwa/) [Enock Maregesi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enock-maregesi/) > [The cobra will bite you whether you call it cobra or Sir. Cobra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/the-cobra-will-bite-you-whether-you-call-it-cobra-or-sir-cobra/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [So anyway, Brasky would put on a white tie and tails and walk his cobra through the park on a leash. He named the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-brasky/so-anyway-brasky-would-put-on-a-white-tie-and-tails-and-walk-his/) [Bill Brasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-brasky/) > [Cobra's fansign!:D <3 sucks monkey balls but ehh!:D love you<3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/cobra-s-fansign-d-3-sucks-monkey-balls-but-ehh-d-love-you-3/) Patience > [Haha cobra thanks for being my friend!!<3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/savannah-j/haha-cobra-thanks-for-being-my-friend-3/) [Savannah J](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/savannah-j/) ## More by Libba Bray > [“I have never felt more ridiculous. If this is what it means to be a woman I am not the slightest bit interested.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-have-never-felt-more-ridiculous-if-this-is-what-it-means-to-be-a/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There are no safe choices. Only other choices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-are-no-safe-choices-only-other-choices/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The King of Crows raked his fingers across the dark until it bled. He licked the blood from his fingers with a forked tongue.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-king-of-crows-raked-his-fingers-across-the-dark-until-it-bled-he/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [The trouble with morning is that it comes well before noon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-trouble-with-morning-is-that-it-comes-well-before-noon/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Spare a copper for our cause?" the girl with the coin cup asks, her voice weary. "I can spare more than that," I say.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/spare-a-copper-for-our-cause-the-girl-with-the-coin-cup-asks-her/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [As one, they leap, laughing, and that is where we leave them - mouths open, arms spread wide, fingers splayed to take in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/as-one-they-leap-laughing-and-that-is-where-we-leave-them-mouths-open/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [I am for hockey. I find I should like to hit something with a stick. -Gemma Doyle Trilogy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/i-am-for-hockey-i-find-i-should-like-to-hit-something-with-a-stick/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There are times when I wish I could go back and change the course of my life. Make different choices...But the past cannot be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-are-times-when-i-wish-i-could-go-back-and-change-the-course-of/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Sexuality is not meant to be this way - an honest, consensual expression in which a girl might take an active role when she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/sexuality-is-not-meant-to-be-this-way-an-honest-consensual-expression/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [There is no greater power on this earth than story.” Will paced the length of the room. “People think boundaries and borders build nations.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/there-is-no-greater-power-on-this-earth-than-story-will-paced-the/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [Heaven's brightest and best-loved angel, who was cast out for inspiring a rebellion against God. Having lost Heaven, Lucifer and his rebel angels vowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/heaven-s-brightest-and-best-loved-angel-who-was-cast-out-for/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“The light is so bright it hurts my eyes. But I don't dare close them. I won't. Instead, I try to adjust to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/the-light-is-so-bright-it-hurts-my-eyes-but-i-don-t-dare-close-them-i/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Miss Moore speaks slowly, deliberately. "I know because I read." She pulls back and stands, hands on hips, offering us a challenge. "May I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/miss-moore-speaks-slowly-deliberately-i-know-because-i-read-she-pulls/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [“Duff's little moans traveled up her spine, made her head buzz. And another thought grabbed hold: She was doing this. She had the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/duff-s-little-moans-traveled-up-her-spine-made-her-head-buzz-and/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) [Explore all 774 Libba Bray quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) ## More Cobra quotes > [The cobra is deadly but mongoose can overcome it. We all have possibillity to defeat prejudiced and resentment in our lives. Fear is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakira/the-cobra-is-deadly-but-mongoose-can-overcome-it-we-all-have/) [Shakira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakira/) > [I am from the jungle where the lion eats the cobra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/i-am-from-the-jungle-where-the-lion-eats-the-cobra/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) > [“In a fight one must always be a COBRA and strike in the eyes of an opponent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudo-mathivha/in-a-fight-one-must-always-be-a-cobra-and-strike-in-the-eyes-of-an/) Rudo Mathivha > [Like a cobra, your strike should be felt before it is seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-lee/like-a-cobra-your-strike-should-be-felt-before-it-is-seen/) [Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-lee/) > [So anyway, Brasky would put on a white tie and tails and walk his cobra through the park on a leash. He named the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-brasky/so-anyway-brasky-would-put-on-a-white-tie-and-tails-and-walk-his/) [Bill Brasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-brasky/) > [“Wisdom is finding out that a cobra is deadly; without first having to lose one’s life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/wisdom-is-finding-out-that-a-cobra-is-deadly-without-first-having-to/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I drive a 1965 Shelby Cobra. I love classic muscle cars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-paul/i-drive-a-1965-shelby-cobra-i-love-classic-muscle-cars/) [Aaron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-paul/) > ['Cobra Clutch' was to let the world know we ain't going nowhere. We got the game in the cobra clutch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/prodigy/cobra-clutch-was-to-let-the-world-know-we-ain-t-going-nowhere-we-got/) [Prodigy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/prodigy/) > [The cobra will bite you whether you call it cobra or Sir. Cobra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/the-cobra-will-bite-you-whether-you-call-it-cobra-or-sir-cobra/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [“And I'm here gazing back at him like a rabbit mesmerized by a beautiful cobra, and any minute he's going to strike and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samantha-towle/and-i-m-here-gazing-back-at-him-like-a-rabbit-mesmerized-by-a/) [Samantha Towle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samantha-towle/) > [“the cobra effect.” As the story goes, a British overlord in colonial India thought there were far too many cobras in Delhi. So he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-cobra-effect-as-the-story-goes-a-british-overlord-in-colonial/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What's different about you? Why does it make you a pussy if you get help, but not the rest of the team? Oh, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pamela-clare/what-s-different-about-you-why-does-it-make-you-a-pussy-if-you-get/) [Pamela Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pamela-clare/) > [~Just wanna say congratz to Cobra and Patience~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-gone/just-wanna-say-congratz-to-cobra-and-patience/) She's\_gone > [Love a cobra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cobra/love-a-cobra/) Cobra > [In her throat like the cola, my system solar. I'm too young to die sober, your man a cobra.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lil-wayne/in-her-throat-like-the-cola-my-system-solar-i-m-too-young-to-die/) [Lil Wayne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lil-wayne/) [Browse all 32 Cobra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cobra/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I am staring into the hissing face of a cobra. 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