Gdzie dwóch się bije, tam trzeci korzysta
Listen
What it means
“Where two fight, a third benefits.” When two parties are in conflict, a third party often gains the most. Staying out of others’ quarrels can be advantageous.
English equivalent
When two quarrel, a third rejoices.
Vocabulary
- bić się — to fight
- korzystać — to benefit, to profit
- trzeci — third
Grammar note
'Się bije' is reflexive ; 'fight each other'. 'Korzysta' is third-person singular present of 'korzystać'.
Cultural context
A widely known proverb applicable to politics, business, and everyday disputes.
Beginner
Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!
More Polish proverbs
- "A stepmother, even if made of sugar, is always bitter." However kind she may be, a stepmother may …
- "For a wise head, two words are enough." A clever person needs only a short hint to understand. Long …
- "A Pole is wise after the damage is done." Poles, or people in general, often learn from mistakes …
- "The wise will accept advice; the fool will reject it with scorn." Wise people listen to advice, …