Meaning & Analysis
Qualities, habits, or traits that are deeply ingrained in a person (as if bred in their bones) are extremely difficult—if not impossible—to change or remove.
Insights
Power of Habit
The proverb asserts that longstanding habits, whether virtues or vices, become so much a part of someone’s nature that they are nearly impossible to alter.
Innate Disposition
It suggests that certain characteristics or tendencies are innate or acquired so early and deeply that they cannot be expunged by external effort.
Historical Symbolism
The phrase draws on anatomical imagery—bones being the most enduring part of the body—to evoke depth and permanence. It has appeared in English sources since the late Middle Ages, often used in moral or didactic contexts.
Cultural Resonance
The proverb belongs to a family of sayings across cultures about the near impossibility of changing one's fundamental nature (cf. 'The bath of the blackamoor has sworn not to whiten'). Its longevity reflects widespread skepticism about self-transformation.
Psychological Dimensions
It acknowledges the challenges of behavioral change, whether in overcoming personal flaws or ingrained prejudices. The saying can justify resignation ('that’s just the way I am') or serve as a warning about the tenacity of bad habits.
Rhetorical Devices
Metaphor
The proverb uses the metaphor of flesh and bone to represent surface behavior and deep-seated nature, making the abstract concept of habit concrete and tangible.
Antithesis
Juxtaposes the superficial (flesh) and the profound (bone), emphasizing the deep-rootedness of certain traits.
Parallelism
The balanced structure of the phrase enhances its memorability and authority as a proverb.
Transcription
Quotations
Syr launcelot smyled and said hard hit is to take oute of the flesshe that is bred in the bone.
That whiche cleuid by the bone, myght not out of the flesshe, though he shold be hanged.
That sore is harde to hele that bredes in the bone.
But it is an olde saying and a true certainly: It wil not out of the flesh that is bred in the bone verily.
A thing bredde so in the bone as it coulde neuer bee rooted oute of the fleshe.
That which is bred in the bone will not out of the flesh.
Such a mallady in the Marrowe will neuer out of the bones.
Now I see what is bred in the bone, will neuer out of the flesh.
(It is ill to bring out of the flesh quhilk is).
They are effects of custome and use; and what is bred in the bone, will never out of the flesh.
What is bred in the bone will neuer out of the flesh.
That will hardly out of the flesh, that is bred in the bones.
(It will neuer out).
(It will neuer out).
That which is bred in the bone will neuer out of the flesh.
That's bred in the bone, will not out of the flesh.
[1632] What's bred in the bone, Admits no hope of cure.
What is bred in the bone, will hardly out of the flesh.
[As in 1616 Withals, p. 578].
[As in 1616 Bret.].
The English say, that which is bred in the bones, will never out in the flesh.
It is ill to bring out of the flesh that is bred in the bene.
That that's bred in the bone will never out of the flesh.
[As in a1598 Ferg.]. *It is hard to leave those ill Customs to which we have been long inured.
Cross References
- See DÜR., II, no. 158.
- B105 The bath of the blackamoor has sworn not to whiten.
Related Proverbs
Original Scan
Used under CC BY-NC 3.0.