Only the Snake Watches Its Slayer — Samoan Proverb Tee

Na o le gata e fasia, 'ae pupula.
"Only the snake looks at its slayer."

This alagaupu (Samoan proverb) comes from an old Samoan belief about the gata (snake): it is the only creature that, when about to be killed, will neither fight back nor try to escape—it simply meets its enemy's gaze. Samoans use this saying as an upu fa'amaulalo or upu fa'anoanoa, words of quiet humility or sorrow, spoken of someone who bears an accusation or a wrong done to their face without seeking revenge—enduring it with steady, silent dignity.