Kabanata Kabanata 76 · Chapter 76

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76. 1. Man at his birth is supple and weak; at his death, firm and

strong. (So it is with) all things. Trees and plants, in their early

growth, are soft and brittle; at their death, dry and withered.

2. Thus it is that firmness and strength are the concomitants of

death; softness and weakness, the concomitants of life.

3. Hence he who (relies on) the strength of his forces does not

conquer; and a tree which is strong will fill the out-stretched arms,

(and thereby invites the feller.)

4. Therefore the place of what is firm and strong is below, and that

of what is soft and weak is above.