Polish Proverbs Explained — D (50)
All Polish proverbs (przysłowia) starting with the letter D — explanations, vocabulary, and cultural context for learners.
- Give a hen a perch and she will want to sit higher. This proverb describes people who are given something but quickly ask for more.
- Leave the dog alone and the dog will give you two in return. It means that if you do not bother someone, they will not bother you, and peace is a reward itself. …
- God gave the child, and He will also provide for the child. It expresses faith that the means to raise a child will come with the child.
- The Lord God gave teeth, and He will give bread too. It means that if you can eat, you will also get something to eat. Trust that provision will follow need.
- Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. One should not find fault with something received as a gift.
- Rain on Saint Margaret's Day, 20 July, is bad for the nut harvest. This folk weather proverb links the saint's feast day with a prediction for crops.
- Rain on Saint Blaise's Day, 3 February, means little hope for spring. This calendar proverb predicts a late or poor spring from February weather.
- Frequent rain in April foretells a large fruit harvest. This folk farming proverb connects spring rain with the health of later crops.
- Rain around Saint Michael's Day, 29 September, promises healthy winter air. This folk proverb links autumn rain with winter conditions.
- Rain on the first or second day of July foretells forty days of rain. This folk weather proverb predicts a long wet spell from early July weather.
- The devil never sleeps. It warns people to stay alert, because evil or bad luck may be waiting for a moment of carelessness.
- The devil dressed in vestments and rings the bell for mass with his tail. It describes a hypocrite who looks pious or respectable but remains bad inside.
- The devil is in the details. Small details that people miss can cause big problems, so careful attention matters.
- For one who wants, nothing is difficult. Where there is a will, there is a way. Determination can make a hard task possible.
- He wants to be a priest for bread, not for heaven. It is said of someone who follows a calling only for money, not from real belief.
- Two roosters on one dunghill are one too many. Two dominant people or rivals cannot easily share the same place or position of power.
- Every mother finds her children dear. A mother's love is unconditional, and she cherishes her children despite their faults.
- Too much for the cat, too little for the dog. It describes a portion or solution that suits nobody because it is too much or too little.
- For company, the Gypsy let himself be hanged. It is said of someone who follows others into a foolish or dangerous situation just to avoid being left out.
- To God when there is fear. People turn to God or religion in danger or distress. It is close to the English saying about atheists in foxholes.
- As many frosts as there are before St. Michael's Day, 29 September, there will be in May. This folk weather proverb links autumn frosts with spring frosts.
- Go to father for a penny, go to mother for a shirt. Each parent has a role: the father handles money, while the mother handles clothes and home care.
- Pray to God, but do not offend the devil. This practical folk saying calls for care: honour what is good, but do not provoke danger without need.
- By St. Catherine's Day, 25 November, it is time to put on new shoes. This seasonal proverb marks the start of winter and the need for stronger footwear.
- Visit your sister every six years and your brother every three. This humorous proverb suggests that family visits, especially to in-laws, need not be frequent.
- The third time is the charm. If something has failed twice, try once more. Success may come on the third attempt.
- A widow is good too, as long as she is young and healthy. This practical proverb about remarriage says that youth and health matter more than marital history.
- Even a fly is good for a dog. When someone is hungry or desperate, even a small or unwanted thing is welcome.
- A fly is good for a dog when it is hungry. Hunger makes even an unappealing thing acceptable.
- A fly is good for a dog when there is no bread. In hard times, people accept whatever is available.
- A fly is good for a dog when it flies into its belly by itself. This funny variant says that even an accidental mouthful matters when you are starving.
- A fly does for a dog, and a turnip does for a peasant. Each creature makes do with what it has, and plain food is still food.
- Father's advice is good advice. This proverb values parental wisdom and guidance, especially a father's.
- A good wife is a crown to her husband. This proverb praises a good wife who brings honour and dignity to her husband.
- A good wife takes pride in cooking what her husband likes. This traditional proverb links a wife's virtue to caring about her husband's tastes.
- A well-matched marriage is paradise on earth. This proverb celebrates the happiness of a compatible and peaceful union.
- From a good nest comes good offspring. Children reflect their upbringing and family background.
- God never forgets a good son. This religious proverb says that God notices and rewards virtue and respect for parents.
- Bread is good when you have no cake. Plain things become valuable when better choices are not available.
- Good bread with salt, as long as it comes with goodwill. Simple food shared with a willing heart is worth more than a lavish feast given grudgingly.
- A good joke is worth a tynf. A witty remark or clever jest has real value , it is worth paying for.
- A good custom , don't borrow it (keep it for yourself). Good habits and traditions should be maintained and not given away or abandoned.
- Good intentions alone are not enough , without action or good judgment, even well-meaning efforts can lead to bad outcomes.
- Patience is rewarded , what is long delayed will eventually come. Even if something takes time, it will happen in the end.
- You can push your luck only so far , eventually something will break. Used to warn against repeatedly taking risks.
- You only have one mother , her love and care are irreplaceable. A reminder to cherish and respect one's mother.
- Children should be seen and not heard , they have no say in adult matters. Often used humorously to silence children.
- Used to say that today is a bad day for something , nothing is going right. A humorous complaint about bad luck or poor results.
- Today's celebration brings tomorrow's regret. A warning that excess or indulgence is followed by consequences.
- A list of things that are unwelcome or out of place: a hole in a sack, a guest in the pantry, sand in flour, water in a meadow, weeds in rye, anger in a monk's …