Chapter 76

When a person is born, they are soft and weak; when they die, they are firm and stiff. The same is true of all things. Trees and plants, when young, are tender and pliant; when they die, they are dry and brittle.

So firmness and strength go with death; softness and weakness go with life.

Thus, one who relies on the strength of his army will not win; and a tree that grows strong fills the span of arms — and so invites the axe.

So what is firm and strong belongs below, and what is soft and weak belongs above.