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  What it means

  “No one should be rich, only virtuous.” True worth lies in moral character, not material wealth. A moralising proverb that places virtue above riches.

  English equivalent

  Virtue is its own reward.

  Vocabulary

  • żaden — no one, none
  • bogaty — rich, wealthy
  • jeno — only, but (archaic)
  • cnotliwy — virtuous

  Grammar note

  'Powinien być' is the modal construction 'should be'. 'Jeno' is an archaic synonym of 'tylko' (only), giving the proverb an old-fashioned register.

  Intermediate

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