Człowiek człowiekowi wilkiem
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What it means
“Man is a wolf to man.” A pessimistic saying about human nature — people can be cruel, selfish, and predatory towards each other. From the Latin “homo homini lupus” by Plautus.
Vocabulary
- człowiek — man, human being
- wilk — wolf
Grammar note
'Człowiekowi' is dative — 'to man'. The sentence has no verb; the dative construction implies 'is (like a wolf) to.'
Cultural context
A well-known Latin phrase adopted into Polish. Often quoted in philosophical or cynical discussions about society.
Intermediate
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