plus ça change

Meanings

1. The more it changes, the more it's the same thing (sometimes loosely translated as the more things change, the more they stay the same).
2. Although the outward appearance may change, fundamentals are constant.

Etymology

A short form (specifically, an anapodoton) of French plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose (“the more it changes, the more it's the same thing”).