"If an ass goes travelling he will not come home a horse"

This quote by Thomas Fuller is a saying that is used to illustrate the idea that one can not change their fundamental nature. It is a warning versus expecting too much from a situation or person, as it is difficult to transform something into something else. The proverb is recommending that if someone is not capable of attaining something, they must not anticipate to be able to do it. It is likewise a reminder that one should not overstate their own capabilities, as they might not have the ability to achieve what they set out to do. The saying is likewise a pointer that a person should not anticipate too much from others, as they might not be able to deliver what is expected of them. Ultimately, this saying is a pointer that one ought to not expect excessive from any scenario or person, as it is impossible to alter the basic nature of something.