proverb/ʃa.se l(ə) na.ty.ʁɛl | il ʁə.vjɛ̃ o ɡa.lo/
a leopard cannot change its spots
Synonyms: on ne se refait pas
"Drive off character, it comes back galloping", a quote from the drama "Le Glorieux" (1732) by Philippe Néricault, also named Destouches. Likely inspired by a similar phrase by Horace in his 10th epistle: "Naturam expelles furca, tamen usque recurret." ("Though you drive out nature with a pitchfork, she will keep coming back.")