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When life begins we are supple and tender.

When life ends we are rigid and unyielding.

All things, including the grass and trees,

are pliant and supple in life,

and dry and rigid in death.

so the supple and tender are companions of life,

while the stiff and unyielding are companions of death.

An army that cannot yield is defeated.

A tree that can't bend cracks in the wind.

The strong and great are laid low

while the soft and gentle prevail.