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Vipers cannot use their venom in the cold.” These are words of political wisdom, as of scientific truth; and a great Italian writer did not hesitate to inculcate from them the same lesson that I do now.
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gutenberg.orgCharles Sumner: “Vipers cannot use their venom in the cold.” These are words of political wisdom, as of scientific truth; and a great…”
Editor's note · Context
Sumner uses this metaphor to illustrate the idea that certain individuals or groups cannot be trusted to act against their inherent nature, especially in politics.
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