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