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  What it means

  “A monk will not tear another monk’s hood.” People of the same group, profession, or interest protect one another and do not harm their own kind. Similar to the idea of professional solidarity or closing ranks.

  English equivalent

  There is honour among thieves. / Crows don't peck out each other's eyes.

  Vocabulary

  • mnich — monk
  • kaptur — hood, cowl
  • oberwać — to tear off, to rip off

  Grammar note

  'Nie oberwie' is the third-person singular future perfective of 'oberwać' with negation. 'Kaptura' is the genitive object after negation.

  Cultural context

  The image of monks protecting each other's habits reflects the medieval monastic world familiar to Polish folk culture.

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