Core Insight:
According to Osho, Jesus’ phrase means: be wise like the serpent, not crafty—‘cunning’ mistranslates an Aramaic term that also means wisdom. The serpent symbolizes rebellious intelligence that awakens human consciousness; the dove signifies guileless innocence. Together they counsel a synthesis: sharp, discriminating awareness joined to pure, uncorrupted heart—intelligent enough to see through illusions, innocent enough to remain loving and unpoisoned.