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  What it means

  Literally “physician, heal thyself.” Means someone who gives advice should follow it themselves — don’t tell others what to do if you can’t do it yourself. From the Gospel of Luke (4:23).

  Vocabulary

  • lekarz — doctor, physician
  • leczyć się — to treat oneself, to heal oneself

  Grammar note

  'Lekarzu' is the vocative of 'lekarz' — direct address. 'Lecz się' is the imperative of 'leczyć się' (reflexive).

  Cultural context

  A biblical phrase (Luke 4:23) deeply embedded in Polish Catholic culture — used to call out hypocrisy or inconsistency.

  Intermediate

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