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  What it means

  Literally: “The devils won’t take the wicked.” The proverb is said of a person who somehow escapes every danger, hardship, or consequence — especially someone with a bad reputation who seems to thrive against all odds. It expresses ironic resignation that wicked or troublesome people appear immune to misfortune. It can also be used self-deprecatingly when someone survives something dangerous.

  English equivalent

  The devil looks after his own.

  Vocabulary

  • złego — the wicked one, the evil person (genitive of zły used as noun)
  • diabli — devils (nominative plural of diabeł)
  • nie wezmą — will not take (third-person plural future of wziąć, perfective)
  • diabeł — devil
  • wziąć — to take (perfective)

  Grammar note

  'Złego' is the genitive of 'zły' used substantively (as a noun) — 'of the wicked/evil one'. Genitive is required here because 'wziąć kogoś' (to take someone) in negative contexts uses the genitive of negation: 'nie wezmą złego' (they won't take the wicked one). 'Diabli' is the nominative plural subject. The perfective 'wezmą' stresses the finality of the action — or its absence.

  Cultural context

  This proverb reflects a deeply Catholic Polish worldview in which the devil plays an active role in human affairs. Ironically, the saying acknowledges that even the devil has his own logic — and it doesn't necessarily include punishing the wicked. It is used with dark humor or ironic exasperation, often about politicians, swindlers, or troublesome neighbors who never seem to face consequences.

  Intermediate

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