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  What it means

  “A mother beats, but she teaches.” A mother’s discipline, even when harsh, comes from love and the desire to raise a good child. The pain of correction is outweighed by the lesson learned.

  English equivalent

  Spare the rod, spoil the child.

  Vocabulary

  • matka — mother
  • tłuc — to beat, to strike
  • uczyć — to teach

  Grammar note

  'Tłucze' and 'uczy' are both third-person singular present tense forms. The contrast is made with 'ale' (but).

  Cultural context

  Reflects traditional Polish attitudes toward parental discipline and the belief that a mother's strictness is an expression of care.

  Beginner

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