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  What it means

  When a person hurries, the devil rejoices. Haste leads to mistakes, and mistakes serve the devil’s purposes. A warning against rushing.

  English equivalent

  Haste makes waste. / The devil is in the details.

  Vocabulary

  • spieszyć się — to hurry, to rush
  • diabeł — devil
  • cieszyć się — to be glad, to rejoice

  Grammar note

  Both verbs use the reflexive 'się'. 'Spieszy' and 'cieszy' are third person singular present tense.

  Cultural context

  Very commonly used in everyday Polish speech to caution someone who is rushing.

  Beginner

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