expression, nidan verb (upper class) with 'tsu' ending (archaic)
all returns to dust; the fruit of the tree falls to the roots
Archaic proverb meaning everything eventually returns to its origin or source. The literal image is of a tree's fruit falling back to its roots. Rare in modern speech; encountered in classical literature or as a poetic expression.
「木の実は本へ落つ」ということわざは、万物は根源に帰るという意味だ。
The proverb 'the fruit of the tree falls to the roots' means that all things return to their origin.
A classical Japanese proverb using the archaic verb 落つ (おつ, 'to fall'). The exact origin is uncertain, but it reflects a common natural metaphor for cyclical return.