सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय - फटाटोपो भयंकरः

निर्विषेणापि सर्पेण कर्तव्या महती फटा ।
विषं भवतु वा मा वा फटाटोपो भयंकरः ॥

- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय

nirviSheNa api sarpeNa kartavyA mahatI phaTA ।
viSham bhavatu vA mA vA phaTATopo bhayankaraH ॥

- subhAShitaratnasamucchaya

Even when the snake is not poisonous, it must have the ability to show off its hood and hiss. Regardless of the poison, the snake that displays its hood is scary. Appearances can save the day.

- Subhashitaratnasamucchaya