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  What it means

  “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him constantly.” Strict upbringing is an expression of love; leniency is a form of neglect.

  English equivalent

  Spare the rod and spoil the child.

  Vocabulary

  • folgować — to spare, to be lenient with
  • rózga — rod, switch, cane
  • nienawidzić — to hate
  • miłować — to love (archaic/elevated)
  • ustawnie — constantly, persistently (archaic)
  • ćwiczyć — to discipline, to exercise, to train

  Grammar note

  'Folguje rózdze' — 'rózdze' is dative of 'rózga' after 'folgować'. 'Syna swego' is genitive of 'syn' after 'nienawidzić'.

  Cultural context

  A direct rendering of Proverbs 13:24 from the Bible, deeply embedded in Polish religious and educational tradition.

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