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  What it means

  Starting from Adam, every person lies. Lying is presented as a universal human trait inherited since the very beginning of mankind.

  English equivalent

  All men are liars.

  Vocabulary

  • począwszy od — starting from, beginning with
  • Adam — Adam (the biblical first man)
  • każdy — every, each
  • człowiek — person, human being
  • kłamać — to lie

  Grammar note

  'Począwszy od' is a participial phrase using the perfective gerund of 'począć'. 'Od Adama' is the genitive after 'od'.

  Cultural context

  The reference to Adam grounds the proverb in the biblical Fall, implying that dishonesty is part of human nature since original sin.

  Intermediate

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