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  What it means

  “Even on the gallows the devils won’t take the rich man, but for the poor man any old rope spells the end.” The rich escape even the worst fates, while the poor are done in by the smallest misfortune. A bitter comment on social inequality.

  English equivalent

  One law for the rich, another for the poor.

  Vocabulary

  • szubienica — gallows
  • diabli — devils (plural of diabeł)
  • wziąć — to take
  • lada — any, just any (dismissive)
  • sznurek — string, rope
  • amen — amen — here: the end, it's over

  Grammar note

  'Diabli nie wezmą' — 'diabli' as subject in nominative plural. 'Lada sznurek' — 'lada' is an indeclinable particle meaning 'any old'.

  Cultural context

  The use of 'amen' as a colloquial expression for 'it's all over' is characteristic of Polish folk speech steeped in Catholic liturgy.

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