# What does ‘a leopard cannot change its spots’ mean?

To “a leopard cannot change its spots” means to people cannot change their essential nature. From the Book of Jeremiah (13:23). Brewer's cites it among the scriptural sayings that have become English proverbs.

## What it means

- From the Book of Jeremiah (13:23). Brewer's cites it among the scriptural sayings that have become English proverbs.

## Action steps

1. Usually said with resignation about persistent bad habits or character flaws.
2. Example: He promised to reform, but a leopard cannot change its spots.

## Sources

- [Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898) — Internet Archive scan](https://archive.org/details/brewers-dictionary-of-phrase-and-fable)

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