Is the presence of harmony (which in the political domain is identified with the idea of consensus) always a factor conducive to the development of civilization - or was the emergence of the modern Polish state in fact more the product of a multiplicity of views and a certain degree of conflict?

Devotees of every craft have their own particular type of passion. Ardent scholars of history and literature share a deep-burning desire to uncover the true meaning of various phenomena and concepts.

Czy harmonia (utożsamiana w polityce z zasadą consensusu) zawsze jest czynnikiem sprzyjającym rozwojowi cywilizacyjnemu, czy to raczej wielość poglądów i pewien stopień konfliktu zadecydował o powstaniu nowoczesnego państwa polskiego?

Zbiorowa wyobraźnia Polaków pełna jest postaci, które nigdy nie istniały, i zdarzeń, które nigdy nie miały miejsca w historii.

In 16-18th century Poland there were few trials of blasphemy, including interferences into Church services or processions. the severe verdicts, capital punishment included, were rarely executed. The most frequently punished for an outrage against Catholic religious feelings were plebeians. No special attention was paid to the possible offences committed by noblemen and magnates. Thus, nothing happened to Erazm Otwinowski who in 1564 trampled on a monstrance torn out from a priest leading a procession. A Calvinist Marcin Kreza who also committed such an offence in 1580 went unpublished too. At the end of century Stefan Łowejko, who publicly manifested his atheism, was not even imprisoned. Although in 1785 a young magnate Henryk Niemirycz, who publicly profaned a host, was sentenced to death. He survived because he left the country. As it shows a coat of arms usually was a good protection against the administration of justice, even in denominational matters.