"The woman about the awl, the old man about the soap." Each person talks only about their own concerns — they talk past each other without really communicating. …

"The woman her thing, the man his thing." Both sides stubbornly stick to their own position. No one budges, no one listens. Used when two people are equally set …

"The woman her thing, the devil his thing." Even when faced with the devil himself, she won't give in. Used of someone whose stubbornness is truly legendary — …

"The woman her thing, the old man his thing." Neither side gives an inch. A picture of two equally stubborn people going round in circles, each repeating their …

"The woman off the cart, the horses feel lighter." When a troublesome or burdensome person leaves, everyone else is relieved. One of the most well-known Polish …

"Lullaby, lullaby — you'll be in paradise." Sweet-sounding promises that will never come true. Used ironically of someone who makes comforting noises or empty …

"Barbara on water, Christmas on ice." If it rains on Saint Barbara's Day (December 4), Christmas will be frosty and icy. One of many Polish calendar proverbs …

"Holy Barbara remembers the miners." Saint Barbara (December 4) is the patron saint of Polish miners. This proverb is a reminder that her feast day — Barbórka — …

"Bartholomew foretells what autumn will follow." The weather on Saint Bartholomew's Day (August 24) is said to predict the coming autumn. Part of the Polish …

"Without curiosity there is no wisdom." You cannot become wise if you are not curious. Learning and understanding require an active desire to ask questions and …

"Without a pot, the cook cannot make soup." You cannot do a job without the right tools. Even the most skilled person is helpless if they lack the basic means …

"Without kołacze, there is no wedding." A celebration is not complete without the proper food and festivity. More broadly: you cannot have a real occasion …

"Without people, even paradise becomes boring." Human company is essential to happiness. No matter how beautiful or comfortable a place is, solitude makes it …

"Without work there are no kołacze." One of the most well-known Polish proverbs. You only get rewards — food, comfort, success — if you put in the effort. There …

"Without work there is no matzo." A rhyming variant of the classic 'bez pracy nie ma kołaczy', substituting 'maca' (matzo) for 'kołacze'. The meaning is …

"Without work there is no pay." A direct, modern-sounding variant of the 'bez pracy' family of proverbs. If you don't work, you don't get paid — effort is the …

"Without work it is hard to attain honour." Respect and recognition must be earned through effort. Status or honour that is not backed by hard work is difficult …

"Without effort there is no honey." You have to work for the sweet things in life. Like a beekeeper who must tend the hive, anyone who wants a reward must first …

"The drum is loud because it is empty." Boastful, noisy people are hollow inside — they make the most noise precisely because they have nothing of substance. A …

"He'll make a priest about as well as the devil makes a church sexton." He is completely unsuited for the role being imagined for him — it's as absurd as …

"Whether you're from Lithuania or Kyiv, if you have something in your purse, Warsaw will take care of you." Money opens doors regardless of where you come from. …

"Poverty with children, poverty without children too." Having children brings hardship, but so does not having them. Life is difficult either way — there's no …

"Poor is the wife who has a drunkard." A wife whose husband is a drunkard is to be pitied above all others. The proverb reflects the social reality of …

"The poor man always has the wind in his eyes." Bad luck and hardship always seem to fall on those who are already struggling. The world is stacked against the …

"The apple falls close to its own apple tree." Children resemble their parents in character and behaviour. Like fruit that doesn't roll far from the tree it …

"The shirt is closer to the body than the coat." A more explicit version of the same idea: what is nearest to us — family, self — takes priority over more …

"The shirt is closer to the body than the peasant coat." A regional variant of the same proverb, using 'sukmana' — the traditional long woollen coat worn by …

"The shirt is closer to the body." Self-interest comes first; we naturally look after ourselves and those closest to us before thinking of others.

"Blessed are the mothers who punish their children for wrongdoing." Mothers who discipline their children are doing them a favour. Firm correction is an act of …

"God on the tongue, but the devil in the heart." Said of hypocrites who speak piously but act wickedly. Fine words mean nothing if one's intentions are corrupt. …

"Even on the gallows the devils won't take the rich man, but for the poor man any old rope spells the end." The rich escape even the worst fates, while the poor …

"The devil rocks the rich man's children." The wealthy have everything done for them — even the devil is at their service. A sardonic observation on how fortune …

"For the rich man, even a bull will calve." The lucky and wealthy seem to defy nature itself — impossible things happen in their favour. Fortune bends the rules …

"Bow to God, but don't anger the devil." Be devout, but also be prudent — don't needlessly provoke dangerous forces. A pragmatic folk wisdom that hedges its …

"Serve God, but don't anger the devil." A variant of the same pragmatic wisdom: fulfil your religious duties, but don't be reckless enough to provoke evil.

"A candle for God, a stub for the devil." Trying to please everyone — or hedging between good and evil. Said of someone who plays both sides, giving something …

"Christmas in water, Easter on ice." If Christmas is mild and rainy, Easter will be cold and frosty. A traditional weather proverb linking the conditions of the …

"God gives nothing without work." Even divine providence requires human effort. You cannot simply pray and wait — you must also act.

"God gave the child, He will provide for the child." Trust that the means to raise a child will come. A reassurance to parents anxious about the cost of having …

"God gave, God took." Said when someone dies or when something precious is lost. An expression of resignation and acceptance of God's will.

"God will not abandon those who trust in Him." Faith and reliance on God will be rewarded. Those who put their trust in God need not fear being forsaken.

"God helps those who help themselves." Divine assistance comes to those who take initiative. Passivity is not rewarded — effort is a prerequisite for grace.

"Fear spring in January, for March is jealous." If January brings unusually warm, spring-like weather, March will compensate with cold and harshness. A weather …

"A beard does not make a wise man." Outward appearance — even one associated with wisdom and age — is no guarantee of intelligence or learning. Don't judge by …

"To be in Rome and not see the Pope." To miss the most obvious or important thing when you are in the perfect position to see it. Said of someone who overlooks …

"There were two wise brothers, and the third was married." Marriage is humorously equated with a loss of wisdom or freedom. A tongue-in-cheek jab at married men …