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人之生也柔弱，
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People are born gentle and weak; |
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其死也坚强。
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In death, they are hard and rigid. |
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草木之生也柔脆，
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Living plants are soft and moist; |
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其死也枯槁。
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In death, they are withered and dry. |
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故坚强者死之徒，
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Therefore, the hard and strong belong to death. |
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柔弱者生之徒。
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The gentle and yielding belong to life. |
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是以兵强则灭，
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An inflexible army is doomed. |
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木强则折。
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A rigid tree will break. |
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强大处下，
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The mighty will fall, |
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柔弱处上。
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The supple and gentle will rise. |