Why do we say "Old habits die hard"?

Meaning:

People tend to be slow to change their ways and accept change.

Background:

According to Gregory Titleman's America's Popular Proverbs and Sayings, this expression has been traced back to 1450, but it does provide references to this earlier use and we were unable to find any verification online. The first known citation in the USA is in an article by Benjamin Franklin printed in London Chronicle in December 1758.

The noun die-hard, meaning a person who vigorously resists changes, is extrapolated from this proverb.

More expressions and their source

Challenge yourself with BookBrowse Wordplays