Kto folguje rózdze, nienawidzi syna swego, lecz kto go miłuje, ustawnie ćwiczy
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What it means
“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 neglect.
English equivalent
Spare the rod and spoil the child.
Vocabulary
- folgować — to spare, to be lenient with
- rózga — rod, switch, cane
- nienawidzić — to hate
- miłować — to love (archaic/elevated)
- ustawnie — constantly, persistently (archaic)
- ćwiczyć — to discipline, to exercise, to train
Grammar note
'Folguje rózdze' — 'rózdze' is dative of 'rózga' after 'folgować'. 'Syna swego' is genitive of 'syn' after 'nienawidzić'.
Cultural context
A direct rendering of Proverbs 13:24 from the Bible, deeply embedded in Polish religious and educational tradition.
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