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  What it means

  “The better is the enemy of the good.” Striving for something better can undermine what is already good enough. Perfectionism or the pursuit of improvement can destroy a satisfactory outcome.

  English equivalent

  The perfect is the enemy of the good.

  Vocabulary

  • lepsze — the better (neuter comparative of 'dobry')
  • wróg — enemy
  • dobre — the good (neuter of 'dobry')

  Grammar note

  'Lepsze' and 'dobrego' are neuter forms. 'Dobrego' is the genitive of 'dobre', required after 'wróg' in this construction.

  Cultural context

  Attributed in various forms to Voltaire and others; widely used in Polish as a caution against over-optimisation.

  Intermediate

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