chassez le naturel, il revient au galop

French

Etymology

"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.")

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃa.se l(ə) na.ty.ʁɛl | il ʁə.vjɛ̃ o ɡa.lo/, (more formal) /ʃa.se l(ə) na.ty.ʁɛl | il ʁə.vjɛ̃.t‿o ɡa.lo/

• Audio:

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Proverb

chassez le naturel, il revient au galop

1. a leopard cannot change its spots

   Synonym: on ne se refait pas