It is the old cow’s notion that she never was a calf.
More French Proverbs:
Half an egg is better than an empty eggcup.French
The bleating of the lamb merely arouses the tiger.
French
They forgive the wine but they hang the bottle.
French
Widows comfort themselves when they remarry, widowers take revenge.
French
To go as fast as a friar that is invited to dinner.
French
The same heat that melts wax, bakes clay.
French