The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (142 page)

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You can DRIVE out Nature with a pitchfork, but she keeps on coming back

Originally HORACE
Epistles
I. x. 24
naturam expelles furca
,
tamen usque recurret
, you may drive out nature with a pitchfork, but she will always return.

1539
tr.
Erasmus' Adages
44
Thurst out nature wyth a croche [staff], yet woll she styll runne backe agayne.
1831
Crotchet Castle
i.
Mr. Crotchet .. seemed .. to settle down .. into an English country gentleman …But as, though you expel nature with a pitchfork, she will always come back.
1867
Short Studies
II. 252
Drive out nature with a fork, she ever comes running back.
1927
Blind Corner
vi.
There's a proverb which is rather in point. ‘You can drive Nature out with a pitchfork,
but she'll always come back.’
I know you're using a bucket instead. But .. the result is the same.
1980
How sleep Brave
xiv.
There was feminine logic for you!..‘You can drive out Nature with a pitchfork …but she keeps on coming back.’
1996
National Review
2 Sept. 22
Horace said it, when the original Olympics were still being held: You can throw Nature out with a pitchfork, it will still come back at you.