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
- the traits which one has been born with cannot be really changed; cf. a leopard cannot change its spots
- 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