Question

Why are amides more resistant to hydrolysis than esters?

Answer 1

See Below

Explanation:

Amides have a significant resonance contribution from a form that gives the nitrogen a positive charge.
http://www.cryst.bbk.ac.uk/PPS95/course/3_geometry/peptide2.html

This image shows a peptide bond (amide bond), but the idea is the same. This resonance form reduces the stability of the Amine as a leaving group. The resonance form may also make the carbonyl carbon less polarized, and therefore less susceptible to nucleophilic attack.