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  What it means

  Literally, “Hope is the mother of fools.” This version warns against passive wishful thinking. Hope is not the problem; blind optimism is, when it replaces effort and a realistic plan. It is said to someone relying on luck instead of doing what is needed.

  English equivalent

  Hope is the fool's income.

  Vocabulary

  • nadzieja — hope
  • matka — mother (here: source, origin)
  • głupich — of fools (genitive plural of głupi)
  • głupi — foolish, stupid; a fool

  Grammar note

  The sentence implies the instrumental case: the full form is 'Nadzieja jest matką głupich', where 'matką' is instrumental. Polish often drops 'jest' (is) in proverbs, which makes the phrase short and forceful. 'Głupich' is genitive plural, meaning 'of fools'.

  Cultural context

  It contrasts with the more hopeful 'Nadzieja umiera ostatnia' (Hope dies last). It is often used about work, study, or plans to favour action over wishful thinking. The tone is usually ironic, and can be self-deprecating.

  Intermediate

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