The reed grows in water; its stems move and its roots are many. And even though all the winds in the world blow, they cannot uproot it, but only cause it to sway back and forth. When the winds finally die down, the reed is still in place.

The cedar (on the other hand) does not live near water, its roots are few, and its trunk does not sway. And even though strong winds blow, they cannot move it from its place. However, when a southerly wind blows, it uproots the cedar and overturns it.

-- Babylonian Talmud Sanhedrin 105b

NOTES