Many persons yearn for what are called “the good old days.” They remember fondly how things used to be, and prefer that to how things are now.

But were “the good old days” in all respects better than now? What makes this question even more interesting is the fact that the Bible counsels: “Do not say: ‘Why has it happened that the former days proved to be better than these?’ for it is not due to wisdom that you have asked about this.” (Eccl. 7:10) What is the point of that counsel? Does it mean that we should ignore the fact that crime is on the increase and that there is more family breakdown and pollution than in the past? What is the balanced view, and how can gaining this outlook contribute to our finding increased contentment now?

MORE THAN “THINGS”

But there is more to the widespread yearning for “the good old days” than just an overlooking of the technical progress mankind has made. As mentioned earlier, some persons particularly long for the way of life or the atmosphere that used to exist. They may recognize that today’s manufactured goods are in certain respects superior to yesterday’s products, yet that alone does not bring them contentment. They personally may sense that some fundamental need is not being satisfied to the extent that it was in former times. Furthermore, some thinking persons may wonder whether this basic lack of satisfaction may be contributing to the general moral breakdown that we see abounding despite man’s material progress.​—2 Tim. 3:1-5.