Kto sieje wiatr, ten zbiera burzę
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What it means
“Whoever sows wind reaps a storm.” Reckless or provocative actions lead to serious, destructive consequences. You get back far more trouble than you started.
English equivalent
Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
Vocabulary
- siać — to sow
- wiatr — wind
- zbierać — to reap, to gather
- burza — storm
Grammar note
'Sieje wiatr', accusative object. 'Zbiera burzę', accusative object. The agricultural metaphor (sow/reap) is direct.
Cultural context
Derived from the biblical Book of Hosea (8:7). The Polish version is widely known and used in political commentary.
Intermediate
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