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  What it means

  “If you want to get to heaven, don’t begrudge the poor a morsel of bread.” Generosity toward the needy is a virtue that will be rewarded. A call to charity rooted in Christian folk ethics.

  English equivalent

  Charity will get you to heaven.

  Vocabulary

  • dostać się — to get to, to reach
  • niebo — heaven, sky
  • żałować — to begrudge, to regret
  • biedny — poor, needy
  • kęs — morsel, bite
  • chleb — bread

  Grammar note

  'Nie żałuj' is a negative imperative. 'Biednym' is dative plural — 'for the poor'. 'Kęsa chleba' is genitive, as required after 'żałować'.

  Cultural context

  Reflects the deep connection between Polish folk culture and Catholic values of almsgiving.

  Intermediate

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