You cannot make a silk purse of a sow’s ear.
More German Proverbs:
He who has three enemies must agree with two.German
Young men may die, but old men must die.
German
When David grew old he sang pious psalms.
German
Early marriage, long love.
German
Lazybones take all day to get started.
German
Do not divide the spoil till the victory is won.
German