When rope is young it is strong. But it is stiff and lacks experience. So you educate it, and prepare it for its working life.
In time it gains experience. Becomes flexible as well as strong. It continues to mature.
Then as it becomes older. It's strength begins to wane. But it has developed experience, character, familiarity and subtlety.
Then in the end it's strength finally wanes, and its work is done and its ending is attended by the same care as it's beginning. With respect.
