Numbered Discourses 5
23. Long Wandering
230. Black Snakes (2nd)
“Mendicants, there are these five drawbacks of a black snake. What five? It’s angry, hostile, venomous, fork-tongued, and treacherous. These are the five dangers of a black snake.
In the same way there are five drawbacks of a female. What five? She’s angry, hostile, venomous, fork-tongued, and treacherous. This is a female’s venom: usually she’s very lustful. This is a female’s forked tongue: usually she speaks divisively. This is a female’s treachery: usually she’s an adulteress. These are the five drawbacks of a female.”