Lao Tzu

When a person is alive, he is soft and supple.

When a person dies, he becomes hard and rigid.

When a plant is alive, it is pliant and tender.

When a plant if dead, it becomes dry and brittle.

Hence, the hard and rigid are companions of the dead.

The soft and supple are companions of the living.

Therefore, a mighty army is ready to be vanquished.

A tree that is dry is ready for the ax.

The mighty and the great will be laid low.

The soft and the gentle will outlive them all!