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  What it means

  “Whoever is ashamed of work is not worthy of bread or sweet rolls.” Those who look down on honest labour deserve neither basic sustenance nor treats. Work is honourable; idleness is not.

  English equivalent

  He who does not work, neither shall he eat.

  Vocabulary

  • wstydzić się — to be ashamed of
  • praca — work
  • wart — worthy
  • kołacz — sweet roll, braided bread

  Grammar note

  'Wstydzić się' takes the genitive: 'wstydzić się pracy'. 'Niewart' + genitive: 'niewart chleba i kołaczy'.

  Cultural context

  Kołacze (sweet rolls) were festive food; pairing them with plain bread ('chleb') contrasts everyday necessity with celebration.

  Intermediate

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