běn xìng nán yí
It is hard to change one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)
jiāng shān yì gǎi běn xìng nán yí
rivers and mountains are easy to change, man's character much harder
jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí
The rivers and mountains may change, but not one's essential nature (idiom). You can't change who you are.
Can the leopard change his spots? (Jeremiah 13:23)
jiāng shān yì gǎi , běn xìng nán yí
it is easier to change mountains and rivers than to alter one's character (idiom)
you can't change who you are
Can the leopard change his spots?