Makaku bistí na seda, makaku e ta keda.
“Dress a monkey in silk, and it remains a monkey.”
A person's true nature cannot be changed by fine clothing or outward appearance.
— Traditional Papiamento Wisdom, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, Sambumbu (Pater Paul Brenneker folklore collection) and the Palabricks.nl Antillean animal-proverb collection, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Better late than never.
Acting late is still worth more than never acting at all.
You sing so badly you have spoiled the water.
Said to someone singing badly out of tune — a light-hearted way of mocking a poor performance.
With only two hands, the funchi cannot come out right.
A single pair of hands is rarely enough — real work goes better with the help of others.
The chicken washes with the water it has.
Make do with what is available to you rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
A clean conscience is the best pillow.
Living honestly brings peace of mind and untroubled sleep.
To jump out of the pot and fall into the fire.
Escaping one bad situation only to land in a worse one.