甘井先かんせいまず竭つく

expression

the flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long; the well with sweet water will be the first to run dry

Proverb meaning that brilliant or exceptional things often fade quickly. The literal image is of a well with sweet water being used up first. Used to caution against overexertion or to reflect on fleeting excellence.

• 「甘かん井せい先まず竭つく」ということわざは、優すぐれたものほど早はやく尽つきるという意い味みだ。

  The proverb 'the well with sweet water will be the first to run dry' means that the more excellent something is, the sooner it is exhausted.