Habit nie czyni mnicha.
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What it means
“The habit does not make the monk.” A person’s clothes and outward appearance do not show their real character or value. Do not judge someone by how they look.
English equivalent
Clothes do not make the man.
Vocabulary
- habit — monk's habit, robe
- czynić — to make, to do
- mnich — monk
Grammar note
'Habit' is the nominative subject. 'Mnicha' is in the genitive after negation: 'nie czyni' takes the genitive here instead of the accusative.
Cultural context
This proverb comes from medieval monastic life and is known in many European languages.
Beginner
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