物壮则老，是谓不道，不道早已。
《老子》第30章
Things must grow old after reaching their prime, which is contrary to the Tao. Whatever is contrary to the Tao will soon perish.
[注释]
物壮则老:物，存在于天地间的万物统称。壮，强壮。物壮则老，意同物极则反。谓事物发展到极度时，就会走向反而。不道:不遵循事物发展的规律。早已:快速灭亡。
[译文]
事物强盛到极点就会走向衰败，一味强行使事物强盛起来，这样不遵循“道”的原则，反而会使它过早地走向衰亡。