[13] **As one would avoid a snake's head with the foot** — a snake (ahi) is called "sappa." In what sense is it a "sappa"? It goes creeping along (saṃsappanto gacchati), thus it is a "sappa" (creeper). It goes winding (bhujanto gacchati), thus it is a "bhujaga" (coil-goer). It goes upon its breast (urena gacchati), thus it is an "uraga" (breast-goer). It goes with its head lowered (pannasiro gacchati), thus it is a "pannaga." It sleeps upon its head (sirena supati), thus it is a "sirisapa." It lies in a hole (vile sayati), thus it is a "vilāsaya" (hole-dweller).¹ It lies in a cave (guhāyaṃ seti), thus it is a "guhāsaya" (cave-dweller). Its fangs are its weapon (dāṭhā tassa āvudho), thus it is "dāṭhāvudha" (fang-weaponed). Its venom is terrible (visaṃ tassa ghoraṃ), thus it is "ghoravisa" (one of terrible venom). Its tongue is twofold (jivhā tassa duvidhā), thus it is "dujivha" (two-tongued). It tastes flavor with two tongues (dvīhi jivhāhi rasaṃ sāyati), thus it is "dirasaññū" (knower of taste by two tongues).
Just as a man desiring to live, not desiring to die, desiring pleasure and averse to pain, would avoid, shun, avoid on all sides, and utterly avoid a snake's head with his foot, even so one desiring pleasure and averse to suffering (dukkha) should avoid, shun, avoid on all sides, and utterly avoid sensual pleasures (kāmā). Thus: **as one would avoid a snake's head with the foot**.
¹ [Note in the Siam Raṭṭha edition: the reading "vilasaya" is also found.]
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.