In a conclave many go in as a pope but come back out as the cardinal they were when they went in.
More French Proverbs:
He is a fool who makes a mallet of his fist.French
A dog may look at a bishop.
French
Better to be envied than pitied.
French
A mistake is no reckoning.
French
Upon a slight pretext the wolf takes the sheep.
French
The hen's eyes are with her chickens.
French