--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Men are born soft and supple; dead, they…" description: "\"Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b92/anonymous-1_attitude_men-are-born-soft-and-supple-dead-they-a_2573341.jpg" --- # Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and… ![“Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b92/anonymous-1_attitude_men-are-born-soft-and-supple-dead-they-a_2573341.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b92/anonymous-1_attitude_men-are-born-soft-and-supple-dead-they-a_2573341.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b92/anonymous-1_attitude_men-are-born-soft-and-supple-dead-they-a_2573341.jpg) > “Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Softness and flexibility embody life, while rigidity signifies death; adaptability leads to survival. **In simple terms:** Flexibility wins; rigidity loses. Key Takeaway Cultivate adaptability to thrive. Themes life death flexibility Mood hopeful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - conflict - personal growth - leadership Key Concepts resilience philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How does flexibility help in crises? - What does being “soft” mean to you? A Different Perspective Rigid attitudes can lead to failure. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/born/) [Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/broken/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Disciple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disciple/) [Disciple Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disciple-death-1711009/) [Dry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dry/) [Hard Stiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-stiff-1711010/) [Inflexible Disciple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inflexible-disciple-1711007/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Plant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plant/) [Yielding Disciple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yielding-disciple-1711008/) ## Related quotes > [“Men are born soft and supple; Dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; Dead, they are brittle and dry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-k-anthony/men-are-born-soft-and-supple-dead-they-are-stiff-and-hard-plants-are-2/) [Carol K. Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-k-anthony/) > [Therefore the stiff and unbending is the disciple of death. The gentle and yielding is the disciple of life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/therefore-the-stiff-and-unbending-is-the-disciple-of-death-the-gentle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A man is born gentle and weak. At death, he is hard and stiff. Green plants are tender and filled with sap. At death,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-is-born-gentle-and-weak-at-death-he-is-hard-and-stiff-green/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“The gentle and yielding is the disciple of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-hyams/the-gentle-and-yielding-is-the-disciple-of-life/) [Joe Hyams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-hyams/) > [The hard and stiff will be broken. The soft and supple will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-hard-and-stiff-will-be-broken-the-soft-and-supple-will-prevail/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“A man is born gentle and weak; at his death he is hard and stiff. All things, including the grass and trees, are soft…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu-2/a-man-is-born-gentle-and-weak-at-his-death-he-is-hard-and-stiff-all/) [Lao-Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu-2/) > [A man is born gentle and weak. At death he is hard and stiff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/a-man-is-born-gentle-and-weak-at-death-he-is-hard-and-stiff/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [People are born soft and weak. They die hard and stiff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/people-are-born-soft-and-weak-they-die-hard-and-stiff/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [The hard and stiff are death's companions. The soft and weak are life's companions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-hard-and-stiff-are-death-s-companions-the-soft-and-weak-are-life/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Smooth seas don't produce skillful sailors.' It's the rought waters that train us to e His disciples. He uses the turbulent times I our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/smooth-seas-don-t-produce-skillful-sailors-it-s-the-rought-waters/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It must be noted that it is often the colleague or direct disciple of a new thinker who gets stuck in literal interpretations of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-must-be-noted-that-it-is-often-the-colleague-or-direct-disciple-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fortunately, God made all varieties of people with a wide variety of interests and abilities. He has called people of every race and color…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fortunately-god-made-all-varieties-of-people-with-a-wide-variety-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ Fortunately Jesus didn't leave \[the disciples\]-or any of us-without hope or direction. Where we fail, Jesus succeeded. The only One who as able to… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/fortunately-jesus-didn-t-leave-the-disciples-or-any-of-us-without/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We could cope—the world could cope—with a Jesus who ultimately remains a wonderful idea inside his disciples' minds and hearts. The world cannot cope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-could-cope-the-world-could-cope-with-a-jesus-who-ultimately/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We cannot see how the evidence afforded by the unquestioned progressive development of organised existence-crowned as it has been by the recent creation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-cannot-see-how-the-evidence-afforded-by-the-unquestioned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding is a disciple of life. The hard and stiff will be broken. 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