Dāngjiā rén jí lǎo; jìn huǒ de shāojiāo.

當家人疾老, 進火的燒焦。

Lit The one who is responsible for a household's affairs gets old faster [just as] things close to a fire get burned first.

Fig The heavy responsibility of managing a large traditional extended family's affairs takes its toll.

Note [Rhyme.]

Topics FAMILIES MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY rhyme traditional_China