The Buddha describes the five drawbacks of a black snake.

AN 5.230 Black Snakes (2nd)

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, ādīnavā kaṇhasappe. Katame pañca? Kodhano, upanāhī, ghoraviso, dujjivho, mittadubbhī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā kaṇhasappe.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcime ādīnavā mātugāme. Katame pañca? Kodhano, upanāhī, ghoraviso, dujjivho, mittadubbhī. Tatridaṁ, bhikkhave, mātugāmassa ghoravisatā yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, mātugāmo tibbarāgo. Tatridaṁ, bhikkhave, mātugāmassa dujjivhatā yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, mātugāmo pisuṇavāco. Tatridaṁ, bhikkhave, mātugāmassa mittadubbhitā yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, mātugāmo aticārinī. Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā mātugāme”ti.

Dasamaṁ.

Dīghacārikavaggo tatiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Dve dīghacārikā vuttā,
atinivāsamaccharī;
Dve ca kulūpakā bhogā,
bhattaṁ sappāpare duveti.

Reference Translation by Bhikkhu Sujato (CC0).

“Pañcime, bhikkhave, ādīnavā kaṇhasappe.

“Mendicants, there are these five drawbacks of a black snake.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Kodhano, upanāhī, ghoraviso, dujjivho, mittadubbhī.

It’s irritable, acrimonious, venomous, fork-tongued, and treacherous.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā kaṇhasappe.

These are the five dangers of a black snake.

Evamevaṁ kho, bhikkhave, pañcime ādīnavā mātugāme.

In the same way there are these five drawbacks of a lady.

Katame pañca?

What five?

Kodhano, upanāhī, ghoraviso, dujjivho, mittadubbhī.

She’s irritable, acrimonious, venomous, fork-tongued, and treacherous.

Tatridaṁ, bhikkhave, mātugāmassa ghoravisatā

This is a lady’s venom:

yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, mātugāmo tibbarāgo.

usually she’s very lustful.

Tatridaṁ, bhikkhave, mātugāmassa dujjivhatā

This is a lady’s forked tongue:

yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, mātugāmo pisuṇavāco.

usually she backbites.

Tatridaṁ, bhikkhave, mātugāmassa mittadubbhitā

This is a lady’s treachery:

yebhuyyena, bhikkhave, mātugāmo aticārinī.

usually she’s an adulteress.

Ime kho, bhikkhave, pañca ādīnavā mātugāme”ti.

These are the five drawbacks of a lady.”

Dasamaṁ.

Dīghacārikavaggo tatiyo.

Tassuddānaṁ

Dve dīghacārikā vuttā,

atinivāsamaccharī;

Dve ca kulūpakā bhogā,

bhattaṁ sappāpare duveti.

Qualities:

Ill will

Ill will

A mental quality of actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, manifesting as deliberate thoughts or intentions that oppose kindness and compassion; it fuels conflict and obstructs goodwill.

Also known as: actively opposing or rejecting others in thought, thought of malevolence towards another, hostile reflections towards another
Pāli: byāpāda
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Treachery

Treachery

Deliberate deception that exploits another's trust for personal gain. It wears a mask of friendliness while secretly working against the other's welfare.

Also known as: deviousness, scamming, betrayal
Pāli: sāṭheyya
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Last updated on July 27, 2026