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  What it means

  “Whoever is ashamed of work is not worthy of bread or sweet rolls.” Those who look down on honest labour deserve neither basic food and a living nor treats. Work is honourable; idleness is not.

  English equivalent

  He who does not work, neither shall he eat.

  Vocabulary

  • wstydzić się — to be ashamed of
  • praca — work
  • wart — worthy
  • kołacz — sweet roll, braided bread

  Grammar note

  'Wstydzić się' takes the genitive: 'wstydzić się pracy'. 'Niewart' + genitive: 'niewart chleba i kołaczy'.

  Cultural context

  Kołacze (sweet rolls) were festive food; pairing them with plain bread ('chleb') contrasts everyday necessity with celebration.

  Intermediate

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