This evil age

"You say, this age is the unhappiest that ever was. This has been an old lay, long ago used. I know your grandfather said so, and likewise your father. I know also that your children and children's children will sing the same note. It is a thing naturally given unto men to cast their eyes narrowly upon all things that are grievous, but to wink at such as are pleasant. As flies and such-like vile creatures do never rest long upon smooth and fine plashed places, but to stick fast to rough and filthy corners, so the murmuring mind does lightly pass over the consideration of all good fortune, but never forgets the adverse or evil. ... Finally you accuse, moreover, the tyranny of these times, and the oppressions of body and mind. It is not my purpose ambitiously to extol this our age, or to afflict and grieve it. For what good would come thereof? I will speak of that which makes for my purpose of comparison. When were not these evils rife? And where not? Name me any age without some notable tyranny, or any country? If you can do so (let me abide the danger of this hazard), I will confess that were are the most wretched of all wretches."   —Justus Lipsius, A.D. 1584