"Where the mother goes with God, there the children go with God." Children follow the moral and spiritual example set by their mother. A mother's faith and …

"Cards next to medals." Said of someone who displays their achievements or decorations prominently, often implying vanity or showing off. The juxtaposition of …

"Whatever the weather on St. Catherine's Day, such will be the whole of December." A folk weather proverb tied to the feast of St. Catherine (November 25), …

A shorter variant of the St. Catherine's Day weather proverb: "Whatever the day of Catherine's feast, such will all of December be."

"A bachelor is unhappy everywhere; a married man is unhappy only at home." A wry, humorous take on marriage — bachelors have no comfort anywhere, while married …

"A piece of bread won't fall from the sky." Nothing comes for free — you have to work for what you need. A reminder that basic necessities require effort.

"A piece of bread won't fall from the sky — you have to earn it through work." The extended form of the proverb makes the moral explicit: hard work is the only …

"Every little fox praises its own tail." Everyone thinks highly of themselves and their own qualities. A variant of the more common 'pliszka' version, using a …

"Every wagtail praises its own tail." Everyone is partial to their own qualities and achievements. A shorter variant without the diminutive 'ogonek'.

"Every wagtail praises its own little tail." The most common form of this proverb: everyone is their own biggest fan and tends to boast about their own …

"Every work has its reward." Honest effort is always compensated in some way — whether financially, morally, or spiritually. An encouragement to keep working.

"Every ace takes only once." Even the strongest card or the most powerful person can only win once in a given situation. A reminder that no advantage lasts …

"Every rooster is bolder on his own dunghill." People are more confident and assertive on their home turf. Similar to 'every dog is a lion at home'.

"Everyone cuts bread towards themselves." People naturally act in their own interest. When cutting bread, you pull the knife toward yourself — a metaphor for …

"Everyone has their own moth that gnaws at them." Everyone has their own private worry, trouble, or obsession that eats away at them. Don't judge others — they …

"Every family has its own dirt." Every family has its secrets, flaws, or shameful episodes. Don't be too quick to judge others' families.

"Everyone scrapes their own turnip." Everyone looks after their own interests and doesn't worry about others. Often said with a slightly critical tone about …

"When a peasant has many children, he is rich; when a nobleman has many children, he is poor." For a peasant, children mean more hands to work the land — …

"When the housewife does laundry and bakes bread at the same time, she nearly goes mad." Doing too many demanding tasks at once is exhausting and maddening. A …

"When Candlemas loses winter, St. Matthias will enrich it." If the weather is mild at Candlemas (February 2), St. Matthias's Day (February 24) will bring cold …

"When St. George treats us to fine weather, the weather will soon turn bad." Good weather on St. George's Day (April 23) is a false promise — it won't last. A …

"When February lets go, March will bake it dry." If February brings a thaw, March will compensate with harsh, drying cold or frost. A folk weather proverb about …

"When February departs, a person wades through water." The end of February brings snowmelt and mud, making paths waterlogged. A practical observation about the …

"When it's February, put on your boots." February is cold and wet — dress warmly and practically. A simple, direct piece of folk wisdom about the harshness of …

"When a north wind blows on St. Michael's Day, the farmer loses hope for fine weather." A north wind on September 29 (St. Michael's Day) signals that autumn …

"When there's frost on St. Lucy's Day, grease your cart." If it's frosty on December 13 (St. Lucy's Day), expect a mild winter — you'll be using a wheeled cart …

"When Paul converts, winter turns back on itself." Around the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25), winter begins to ease and the days start to …

"When you come among crows, caw as they do." When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Adapt to the customs and behaviour of the people around you.

"When you come among crows, caw just as they do." A variant of the same proverb using 'jako' (just as) instead of 'jak i' (as and). Adapt to the customs of …

When you find yourself among crows, caw like them. Adapt to the customs and behaviour of those around you.

When you come among crows, you must caw like them. You must conform to the norms of the group you join.

Archaic variant using 'ony' instead of 'one'. Same meaning: adapt to the customs of those around you.

Archaic variant using 'jako' and 'ony'. Adapt to the ways of those around you.

When you come among crows, you must do as they do. Conform to the behaviour of those around you.

Archaic variant: when among crows, caw as they do. Adapt to your surroundings.

Archaic variant: when among crows, caw just like them. Conform to the group's customs.

When birds sing in January, their beaks will freeze in May. Unseasonably warm winters are followed by cold springs.

When brothers love each other, they still quarrel. Even close relationships involve conflict.

When the swallow flies low, rain is approaching. A weather proverb based on the behaviour of swallows before storms.

When January is harshest, the year will be most fruitful. A harsh winter is seen as a sign of a good harvest.

When it drizzles on St. Margaret's Day (July 20), hay is hard to rake. A farming calendar proverb.

When it freezes on St. Barbara's Day (December 4), put your sleigh away, farmer. Frost on that day means winter will not last.

When it freezes on St. Barbara's Day, look for a good cart, farmer. Frost on that day signals a mild winter ahead.

When it freezes on St. Barbara's Day, prepare a good cart, farmer. A mild winter will follow.

When ice doesn't form on St. Catherine's Day (November 25), prepare your sleigh. A late freeze means a hard winter is still coming.

Archaic emphatic variant: when you enter among crows, do caw like them. Adapt to your environment.

You won't get far with lies. Dishonesty is ultimately self-defeating.

A lie has short legs — it can't run far. Lies are soon caught out.

Let us love each other like brothers, but settle accounts like Jews. Keep friendship and business separate; be generous in affection but precise in money …

Variant using 'rachujmy się'. Love like brothers, but keep careful accounts. Friendship and finances should be handled differently.

Whom academy, court, and camp cannot polish in wit, his wife should teach him sense and cleverness. A wife's practical wisdom can succeed where formal education …

Whom God gives no wit, a blacksmith cannot forge it for him. Intelligence cannot be manufactured or forced.

For some, bread does harm; for others, a stick helps. Different people need different treatment.

Whoever is harmed by bread will be helped by a stick. Some people only respond to harsh treatment.

Whoever finds work a burden will cry out later. Those who avoid effort will suffer the consequences.

For one who must travel, time is of the essence. Said to urge someone who needs to leave to get going.

While the horse is being shod, the frog sticks out its leg. Said of someone who meddles or tries to imitate those far above their station.

Even a horse with four legs stumbles. Everyone makes mistakes, no matter how capable.

"The cat injured the kitten, the cat will treat the kitten." The one who caused harm is now expected to fix it — often said ironically about situations where …

"The cat is washing itself, guests will come." A folk belief that when a cat washes its face, visitors are on their way. Used to express superstitious optimism …

"The blacksmith was at fault, but they hanged the Gypsy." The guilty party goes free while an innocent or weaker person takes the punishment. A sharp comment on …

"Stolen goods don't fatten you." Ill-gotten gains bring no real benefit or satisfaction. What is stolen may fill your hands but not your soul.

"A drop wears away the stone." Persistent, patient effort — even small and seemingly insignificant — will eventually overcome great obstacles.

"The cow that moos a lot gives little milk." Those who talk the most often produce the least. Loud boasting is a sign of little substance.

"The king is naked." Used when someone in power is exposed as having no real substance, competence, or moral authority — often after everyone has been …

"The mice ate King Popiel." Refers to the legendary Polish ruler Popiel who, according to chronicle tradition, was devoured by mice as punishment for his …

"A crow will not poke out another crow's eye." People of the same kind, especially those engaged in shady dealings, protect and cover for each other.

"Crooked work doesn't pay." Dishonest or shoddy work brings no real reward. Cutting corners or acting unethically is ultimately unprofitable.

"A priest doesn't give his sermon twice." Something important is said once; if you missed it, that's your problem. Don't expect to be told the same thing …

"He who serves God, luck flows to him." A pious life is rewarded with good fortune. Faith and virtue attract divine favour.

"He who wants heaven must suffer, and he who wants bread must work." Nothing worthwhile comes without effort or sacrifice — whether spiritual salvation or daily …

"He who wants to live by his own work need not complain." If you earn your living honestly through your own labour, you have no cause for grievance. …

"He who carries bread, bread carries him too." Those who provide for others will themselves be provided for. Generosity and hard work are repaid in kind.

"He who doesn't want bread is not worthy of cake." If you reject the basic and ordinary, you have no right to expect something better or more special.

"He who scorns bread, God scorns him even more." Wasting or disrespecting food — especially bread — is a sin that brings divine disfavour. Gratitude for basic …

"He who gives and takes back wallows in hell." Taking back a gift is considered deeply shameful — worse than never giving at all.

"He who gave teeth will also give bread." God (or fate) who gave you the means to eat will also provide the food. Trust that provision follows need.

"He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him constantly." Strict upbringing is an expression of love; leniency is a form of …

"He who plays diamonds will lose for sure." A rhyming warning from card-playing culture: certain choices lead inevitably to loss. More broadly, reckless …

"He who scolds another should himself set an example." Before criticising others, make sure your own conduct is beyond reproach. Practice what you preach.

"He who bends his hands to work will not bow his brow in palaces." The person who works hard with their hands will never need to humble themselves before the …

"He who buys what he doesn't need will later have no money to buy bread." Wasteful spending on unnecessary things leads to poverty and inability to afford the …

"He who works in summer does not feel hunger in winter." Hard work and preparation during good times ensures you won't suffer during hard times. A call to …

"He who has hands for work will eat his fill of sweet rolls." Those willing to work hard will be rewarded with good things in life. A celebration of …

"He who has a conscience in his soul will not touch what belongs to others." A person of good character respects others' property and does not steal or take …

"He who has luck — even his ox will give birth to a calf." Lucky people seem to benefit even from impossible or unexpected events. Fortune favours the …

"He who doesn't want the small will not see the large either." Rejecting modest gains out of greed or pride means you end up with nothing at all. Don't overlook …

"He who fights by the sword dies by the sword." Those who use violence or aggression as their means will ultimately be destroyed by the same. Actions have …

"He who won't endure work has nothing to eat." Refusing to work means going hungry. A blunt reminder that sustenance requires effort.

"He who has no daughters has no children." A humorous or ironic saying suggesting that daughters are the true children — perhaps because they stay closer to the …

"He who has no luck at cards has luck in love." A consolation: if fortune eludes you in one area of life, it compensates in another. Often said to cheer up a …

"He who doesn't have it in his head has it in his legs." Someone who fails to plan or think ahead ends up having to run around fixing things. Brains save …

"He who won't listen to his brother will have to listen to the whip." Ignoring good advice from those close to you leads to harsher lessons from life or …

"He who doesn't listen to his mother will end up behind bars." Disobeying parental guidance leads to a life of crime and imprisonment.

"He who doesn't listen to his father and mother will be beaten by his own children." Disrespecting your parents sets a pattern that your own children will …

"He who won't listen to his father and mother, let him listen to the dog's hide." A threat: if you ignore your parents' words, you'll learn obedience through …

"He who doesn't listen to his father and mother listens to the dog's hide." A declarative variant of the same warning: disobedience to parents results in …

"He who doesn't draw trumps walks without shoes." In card games, failing to use your trump cards leads to losing everything — even your shoes. Use your …

"Whoever can't steal and deceive has no business being in Warsaw." A sardonic proverb poking fun at Warsaw's reputation for cunning and sharp dealing. Used …

"Whoever honours their father and mother, God blesses them." A religious proverb reinforcing the commandment to honour one's parents, promising divine reward …

"Whoever doesn't listen to their father and mother blows on cold water." Blowing on cold water is pointless — so is the life of someone who ignores their …

"Whoever refuses to obey their father and mother must end up in the executioner's hands." A stark warning that disobedience leads to ruin and punishment. The …

"Whoever brings grain to the mill first gets it ground first." First come, first served. Acting promptly gives you an advantage.

"Whoever is first is better off." A concise expression of the advantage of acting before others. Speed and initiative pay off.

"Whoever digs pits under someone else falls into them himself." Those who scheme against others end up harming themselves. Treachery backfires.

"Whoever digs pits under someone else, that very person falls into them." A variant of the same proverb with 'ten sam' (that very one) for added emphasis. …

"Whoever arrives late harms only themselves." Lateness is self-defeating. The consequences of tardiness fall on the latecomer alone.

"Whoever comes among crows must caw like them." When you join a group, you must conform to its customs and behaviour. Adapt or be excluded.

"Whoever asks doesn't go astray." Asking for directions or advice keeps you on the right path. There's no shame in asking — it's the smart thing to do.

"Whoever rises early, God gives to them." Early risers are rewarded. Hard work and an early start bring divine favour and material success.

"Whoever scatters pennies will waste away little by little." Careless spending leads to gradual ruin. Small extravagances add up.

"Whoever sows barley on St Urban's Day will drink beer from a jug." Sowing barley at the right time (around 25 May, the feast of St Urban) promises a good …

"Whoever sows wind reaps a storm." Reckless or provocative actions lead to serious, destructive consequences. You get back far more trouble than you started.

"Whoever is lazy about work is not worthy of eating roast meat." Those who avoid work don't deserve the rewards. No effort, no reward.

"Those who like each other also quarrel with each other." Close relationships involve both affection and conflict. Bickering between friends or lovers is normal …

"Whoever has been burned by something hot blows on cold things too." A bad experience makes people overly cautious even when there's no real danger. Once …

"Whoever is not lazy makes gold from stones." Diligence can turn even the most unpromising raw material into something valuable. Hard work creates wealth from …

"Whoever is born in May will fare well." A folk belief that a May birth brings good fortune throughout life.

"Whoever is ashamed of work is not worthy of bread or sweet rolls." Those who look down on honest labour deserve neither basic sustenance nor treats. Work is …

"Whoever doesn't count their pennies, poverty will teach them to." Careless handling of money leads to hardship, which then forces financial discipline the hard …

"Whoever seeks will find." Persistence and effort are rewarded. If you look hard enough, you will find what you're after.

"Whoever seeks coolness in July will suffer hunger in winter." Avoiding summer work in favour of comfort means you won't have enough stored for winter. Laziness …

"Whoever sows wind reaps a storm." A variant word order of the same proverb. Reckless actions bring severe consequences.

"Whoever begins with God will act wisely." Starting any endeavour with prayer or faith ensures it will be done well and prudently.

"Whoever is with God, God is with them." A reciprocal expression of faith: those who turn to God receive God's presence and protection in return.

"Whoever drinks with a peasant also ends up lying with him under the fence." If you keep company with people of rough habits, you'll share their fate — …

"Whoever keeps company with someone becomes like them." You are shaped by the people around you. Choose your companions wisely.

"Whoever lives by the work of their own hands will soon grow fat." Hard, honest work brings prosperity and well-being. A celebration of self-reliance and manual …

"Whoever is stupid by nature won't buy themselves any sense even in Paris." No amount of travel or education can fix innate foolishness. Paris was historically …

"Whoever in youth doesn't listen to their father and mother will in old age listen to ox-hide." Those who ignore parental guidance when young will suffer the …

"Whoever doesn't want to eat bread with me, I won't share sweet bread with them either." Those who refuse simple, everyday companionship shouldn't expect to …

"Strike the iron while it's hot." Act at the right moment, while conditions are favourable. Delay causes missed opportunities.

"A whore won't tear off another whore's head." People of the same kind or with the same vices protect each other and won't harm their own. Similar to 'there is …

"July blossom, healthy drink." Flowers that bloom in July — especially linden (lipa) — make the best herbal teas and infusions, good for health. A folk …

"April is a weaver, because it interweaves a little winter and a little summer." April weather is unpredictable, mixing cold and warm spells. Expect anything in …

"April that sprinkles with rain brings many fruits." Rainy April weather is a good omen for a plentiful harvest later in the year.