Full Idea
What has been born must have growth, a prime of life, and a time of withering away.
Gist of Idea
What is born has growth, a prime, and a withering away
Source
Aristotle (De Anima [c.329 BCE], 434a23)
Book Reference
Aristotle: 'De Anima (on the psuche)', ed/tr. Reeve, C.D.C. [Hackett 2017], p.63
A Reaction
Modern biologists don't seem much interested in the 'prime of life', but for Aristotle it is crucial, as the fulfilment of a thing's essential nature. Nietzsche would probably agree with Aristotle on this. We dread seeing one period of life as 'superior'.