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  What it means

  Literally, “work is the greatest wealth.” The saying holds that the ability and willingness to work matter more than possessions. It praises honest effort as a source of prosperity and self-respect, and can comfort someone who has little money but still has health and the ability to work.

  English equivalent

  Industry is the mother of success.

  Vocabulary

  • praca — work, labor (feminine noun)
  • największe — greatest (neuter nominative superlative of wielki/duży)
  • bogactwo — wealth, riches (neuter noun)

  Grammar note

  The verb "jest" (is) is omitted, as often happens in Polish proverbs. "Największe" is the neuter nominative superlative of "wielki" (great), agreeing with the neuter noun "bogactwo." The structure is subject (praca) plus an omitted copula plus the predicate noun (największe bogactwo).

  Cultural context

  The proverb reflects the high regard for honest work in Polish culture and the Catholic tradition of 'ora et labora' (pray and work). It sounds slightly old-fashioned or moralising, so it appears more in education and formal writing than in casual speech.

  Beginner

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