老ろうと病びょう

expression

old age and sickness

A set phrase referring to the two major afflictions of aging: growing old and falling ill. Often used in contexts discussing the hardships of life or Buddhist teachings on suffering.

• 老ろうと病びょうは誰だれにでも訪おとずれる。

  Old age and sickness come to everyone.

• 仏ぶっ教きょうでは、老ろうと病びょうは人じん生せいの苦くるしみの一いち部ぶとされる。

  In Buddhism, old age and sickness are considered part of the suffering of life.