‘Venerable Nāgasena, that one quality of the scorpion you say he ought to take, which is it?’
‘Just, O king, as the scorpion, whose tail is its weapon, keeps its tail erect as it wanders about; just so, O king, should the strenuous Bhikshu, earnest in effort, have knowledge as his weapon, and dwell with his weapon, knowledge, always drawn. This, O king, is the quality of the scorpion he ought to have. For it was said, O king, by Upasena Vaṅganta-putta, the Elder:
“With his sword of knowledge drawn, the man of insight
Should ever be unconquerable in the fight,
Set free from every fear.”’