強きょう弩どの末すえ魯ろ縞こうに入いる能あたわず

expression

even the strong will grow weak

A classical Chinese-derived proverb (故事成語) meaning that even great power eventually fades and becomes ineffective. The literal image is that an arrow shot from a strong crossbow loses momentum and cannot pierce thin Lu silk. Used in formal or literary contexts to warn against overconfidence or to note the decline of once-mighty forces.

See also: 魯 (ろ)

• かつての大たい国こくも今いまや強きょう弩どの末すえ魯ろ縞こうに入いる能あたわずの状じょう態たいだ。

  Even the once-great nation is now in a state where its power has waned and can achieve little.