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  What it means

  The sword does not cut a humble head. Humility protects a person from attack and conflict; those who bow down are not struck down.

  English equivalent

  The bended knee is not touched by the sword.

  Vocabulary

  • pokorny — humble, meek
  • głowa — head
  • miecz — sword
  • siec — to cut, to slash

  Grammar note

  'Pokornej głowy' is the genitive singular of 'pokorna głowa', functioning as the object of the negated verb. 'Nie siecze' — negated third person singular present.

  Cultural context

  Reflects a value of humility in Polish culture, with roots in both Christian ethics and the practical wisdom of surviving conflict by not provoking aggressors.

  Intermediate

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