Plus ça change

The pessimistic French expression: plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose, is very often cut down to just the first clause: plus ça change... / "the more things change..." 

The shortened French expression is often used in English too, particularly British English.

In either language, plus ça change indicates a certain disillusionment or resignation regarding whatever is being talked about. 

A company makes all kinds of policy changes, for example, but the personnel issues are unaffected. A couple go to marriage counseling, but continue fighting about everything. A new sheriff comes to town, but there is no noticeable impact on crime. 

New people, new promises, but the same old problems - plus ça change....

Variations:

   Plus ça change, plus c'est pareil - The more it changes, the more it's the same

   Plus ça change (et) moins ça change - The more it changes (and) the less it changes 

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‘Als we willen dat alles blijft zoals het is, moet alles anders worden’.

Guiseppe Tomasi, De Tijgerkat (Il gattopardo; politieke roman, 1958)