By working in the smithy one becomes a smith.
More French Proverbs:
For a web begun God sends thread.French
One finds little ingratitude so long as one is in a position to grant favors.
French
A glaring sunny morning, a woman that talks Latin, and a child reared on wine, never come to a good end.
French
To do like the monkey, get the chesnuts out of the fire with the cat's paw.
French
He'll laugh well that laughs longest.
French
A churl knows not the work of spurs (i.e., honour).
French