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Gen_49:17 Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the path, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.
Ver. 17. Dan shall be a serpent by the way.] He shall subtly set upon his enemies, and suddenly surprise them: as they did the men of Laish; and as Samson, of this tribe, did the Philistines. Moses saith, "Dan is a lion’s whelp." {Deu_33:22} But when his lion’s hide would not serve his turn, he could piece it out with his fox skin or serpent’s slough; {a} he could, if not outfight his enemies, outwit them: and -
“ … dolus, an virtus, quis in hoste requirat?” - Virg.
Of Decebalus, king of Dacians, it is reported, to his singular commendation, that he could, optime insidias facere, proelium committere, optime uti victoria, et acceptam cladem ferre moderate. {b} All which were the parts and points of an excellent warrior.
{a} Leoninae pelli vulpinam assuere.
{b} êáëùò ìåí íéêç ÷ñçóáóèáé, êáëùò äå êáé çôôáí äéáèåéíáé - Dio, in Vita Domit.