pau que nasce torto nunca se endireita

Portuguese

Etymology

Literally, a twig that is born twisted will never be straight.

Proverb

pau que nasce torto nunca se endireita

  1. the traits which one has been born with cannot be really changed; cf. a leopard cannot change its spots
  2. the best is to emphasize a proper education from the youngest age; cf. you can't teach an old dog new tricks

See also

  • pau que nasce torto mija fora da bacia