Men, when born, are weak and soft; when dead, they are stiff and hard. When inanimate objects—say, the vegetable creation—are first produced, they are soft and tender; when dead, they are hard and dry. Wherefore hardness and rigidity are associated with death; softness and weakness with life. So, when soldiers are violent, they gain no victories; when the tree is strong, a combination of strength is used [to fell it]. Its big parts are below; its soft and tender parts above.
Posted on: Tue, 06 Aug 2013 02:29:06 +0000