National Serpent Day is observed annually on Feb. 1 to honor snakes, one of the oldest mythological symbols. More than 3,000 species of snakes are found on Earth – the smallest of them is the Barbados threadsnake and the most venomous one is the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus).

While some people are scared of serpents, others are fascinated by them. In most cultures, the serpent is a symbol of evil, medicine, fertility, and much more. Here are some quotes, courtesy A-Z Quotes, to share on this day.

1. "Look like the innocent flower, But be the serpent under it." – William Shakespeare

2. "We must combine the toughness of the serpent with the softness of the dove, a tough mind and a tender heart." – Martin Luther King, Jr.

3. "Still anyone who trusts a serpent deserves its bite. The wise see a creature for what it is, not what it says it may be." – Alice Hoffman

4. "To caress the serpent that devours us, until it has eaten away our heart." – Voltaire

5. "If a man wishes to become a hero, then the serpent must first become a dragon: otherwise he lacks his proper enemy." – Friedrich Nietzsche

6. "I am the queen of spades, I am the wasp that stings, I am the dark serpent. I am the invulnerable animal who passes through fire and is not burned." – Elena Ferrante

7. "Eternity is a circle, a serpent that swallows its own tail." – Elsa Barker

8. "We were ensnared by the wisdom of the serpent; we are set free by the foolishness of God." – Saint Augustine

9. "He is as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove." – Paulo Coelho

10. "Adam's first domestic pet after the expulsion from Paradise was the serpent." – Franz Kafka

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