It is all a question of sensitiveness. Brute force and overbearing may make a terrific effect. But in the end, that which lives by delicate sensitiveness. If it were a question of brute force, not a single human baby would survive for a fortnight. It is the grass of the field, most frail of all things, that supports all life all the time. But for the green grass, no empire would rise, no man would eat bread: for grain is grass; and Hercules or Napoleon or Henry Ford would alike be denied existence.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of sensitivity and delicate balance in the world. It suggests that while brute force may initially appear powerful, it is ultimately the subtle and delicate aspects of life that sustain us. The quote uses the example of a human baby surviving due to delicate care and nurturing, and compares it to the green grass that supports all life. It implies that even the most dominant figures in history, represented by Hercules, Napoleon, and Henry Ford, owe their existence to the simple and fragile origins of life.

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