give life to the dead and flesh to the (bare) bones—do a great favour (/kindness) to ❍ 尚使意如得改事君，所谓生死而肉骨也。(《左传·昭二十五年》) If you can bring it about that I have an opportunity to serve our ruler in a different manner from the past,you will be giving,as we say,life to the dead,and flesh to the (bare) bones.