Przez pany do króla, a przez święte do Boga
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What it means
“Through lords to the king, and through the saints to God.” To reach someone powerful, you must go through intermediaries. Influence and access move through hierarchies, whether earthly or divine.
Vocabulary
- pan — lord, master, gentleman
- król — king
- święty — saint (here plural: święte)
- Bóg — God
Grammar note
'Przez' takes the accusative: 'pany' (acc. pl. of 'pan'), 'święte' (acc. pl. of 'święty'). 'Do króla' and 'do Boga' use the genitive after 'do'.
Cultural context
Reflects the hierarchical structure of both the Polish nobility system and Catholic intercessory prayer, where saints mediate between humans and God.
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