sow the seed (或seeds) of

do something which will eventually bring about (a particular result, especially a disastrous one)

埋下…的種子（尤指最后會帶來惡果的事情）

the seeds of dissension had been sown.

埋下了糾紛的種子。

you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

(proverb)you can't create a fine product from inferior materials

(諺)劣材難成器