A branching canal; 'we make our life by others' death'
A flow question comparing the canal branches a c and b c, beside an aphorism on life sustained by death.
The page centres on a simple line diagram of a canal that forks, with the branches marked by the letters n, c, a and b. The note beneath asks, given that the water c n is level, which channel will pour the water off faster, a c or b c. Above the diagram stands the aphorism that we make our life by the death of others, reflecting that insensate life remains in dead matter and revives once taken into the living.
On this page
Which branch pours faster, a c or b c
A canal is shown as a horizontal line that branches, its points labelled n, c, a and b. Given that the stretch of water c n is level, the note asks which of the two channels, a c or b c, will discharge the water more quickly.
We make our life by the death of others
The opening reflection states that we sustain our life with the death of others. In the dead thing an insensate life remains, which, rejoined to the stomachs of the living, takes up again a sensitive and intellective life.