A person like Thoreau, the American writer, may say
that we are unhappy because our life is complicated. So he would conclude that
our ancestors were happier. In fact Thoreau wanted that life should be very
simple. There should be. No newspapers, no letters, no furniture and nor other
things which make human beings to think of getting more and more. None can deny
that our life has become more complicated and in this respect. Our ancestors
were happier.
There is great activity today. Modem man is like
frightened sheep running here and there. We are running a hundred-metro race.
Consequently we do not enjoy spiritual peace. Love of money has killed our
finer emotions. We consider others as cogs in the machines. We use them of our
personal profit. Similarly our attitude has become mechanical. Our ambitions
are very high. So we remain dissatisfied with ourselves. Modem man thinks of
crossing even those limitations which earthly life puts upon them. He is
thinking of becoming a guide. He has lost faith in religion and moral values.
As a result of it modem man is unhappy and frustrated. He doesn't enjoy
spiritual peace.
This is only one side of the picture. Modern man
has more comforts of life. He can fly like birds and swim like fish. He can
land upon the moon and know much about the Mars. He has knowledge that gives
him satisfaction. In this manner he hopes to know the motives and desires of
others. Modem man enjoys all types of material possessions. Life has become
longer. Diseases can be controlled; hearts can be transplanted and limbs can be
kept in a working order. Modern man has access to all types of knowledge. He
can plan properly and execute it properly. In this manner, he enjoys all of
those benefit which our ancestors could never dream to enjoy
By comparing the two sides of the picture we come
to the conclusion that our ancestors were happier. Their wants were limited and
they were self-satisfied. They were religious in their view and quite well
informed about the purpose of human life upon earth. Our ancestors had nothing
to fear. Wars were not so horrible in those days. Thus our immediate ancestors
were decidedly happier than the modern man.