What is the source of this Sanskrit verse?

This subhashitam is from Chanakya Niti.

What are the key themes of this verse?

The key themes of this subhashitam are: appearance, strategy, snake, display of power.

All Subhashitams Chanakya Niti

निर्विषेणापि सर्पेण

Chanakya Niti

निर्विषेणापि सर्पेण कर्तव्या महती फणा । विषमस्तु न चाप्यस्तु फणाटोपो भयंकरः ॥

निर्विषेणwithout poison

सर्पेणby the snake

महतीlarge

फणाhood

कर्तव्याshould be raised

विषम्poison

फणाटोपःhood expansion

भयंकरःfearsome

Even a non-poisonous snake should raise its hood fully. Whether or not it actually holds poison, the fearsome display is itself enough to strike terror.

appearancestrategysnakedisplay of power

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सर्पः क्रूरः खलः क्रूरःThe serpent is cruel, the wicked man is cruel; but the wicked is even crueler than the serpent. A serpent can be pacified with mantras, but by what means can the wicked man be pacified?Subhashitam
काकः कृष्णः पिकः कृष्णःThe crow is black and so is the cuckoo. What is the difference? With the advent of spring, the cuckoo sings sweetly, revealing the difference.Subhashitam
विषादपि अमृतं ग्राह्यंNectar should be accepted even if found in poison; a wise word even from a child; virtuous conduct even from an enemy; and gold even from filth.Chanakya Niti
को हि भारः समर्थानांWhat is heavy for the capable? What is distant for the industrious? What is foreign for the learned? Who is a stranger to those who speak sweetly?Chanakya Niti

निर्विषेणापि सर्पेण

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