Syn tylko worki zliczy, w rozumie nie dziedziczy
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What it means
“A son only counts the bags (of money), he doesn’t inherit the brains.” Wealth can be passed on, but intelligence and wisdom cannot — an heir may squander what a clever parent built.
English equivalent
Wealth is not passed on with wisdom.
Vocabulary
- worek — sack, bag
- zliczyć — to count up
- rozum — mind, intelligence
- dziedziczyć — to inherit
Grammar note
'Worki' is the accusative plural of 'worek'. 'W rozumie' is the locative of 'rozum'. 'Nie dziedziczy' — the negation with the verb in present tense.
Cultural context
A cautionary saying about inherited wealth, reflecting a folk scepticism about the children of successful people.
Intermediate
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