Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.

Precocity

Early ripe, early rotten.

He dies before he is old who is wise before his day.Latin.

Soon fire, soon ashes.Dutch.

Soon grass, soon hay.Dutch.

Soon old, soon cold; soon old, soon with God.German.

Soon ripe, soon rotten.Latin.

So wise so young, they say do never live long.Shakespeare.

What ripens fast does not last.