Matsyapurana 30.24

30.24

*devayānyuvāca
kathamāśīviṣāt sarpāj jvalanāt sarvatomukhāt
durādharṣataro vipra ityāttha puruṣarṣabha //

Yayâtî said:--"The sages of hoary lore have said that a Brâhmaṇa is more formidable than the mouth of an angry venomous serpent and the raging fire."--23. Devayânî said:—"O, Blessed one! How do you describe a Brâhmaṇa to be more formidable than an angry venomous snake and the raging fire?"—24.