τον γάιδαρο, όσο και να τον στολίσεις, άλογο δεν γίνεται

Greek

Proverb

τον γάιδαρο, όσο και να τον στολίσεις, άλογο δεν γίνεται • (ton gáidaro, óso kai na ton stolíseis, álogo den gínetai) (literally: as much as you decorate the donkey, he will not become a horse)

1. you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear, you can't polish a turd (it is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value)