A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.

In the vast expanse of human history, few things remain constant. Time passes, societies evolve, and the values that once held firm begin to bend and shift under the pressure of progress. The words of Yogi Berra, a man of both wit and wisdom, capture this immutable truth: “A nickel ain’t worth a dime anymore.” On the surface, this may seem like a simple, almost humorous observation about inflation, but beneath the words lies a deeper reflection on change—not only in currency but in all aspects of life. Just as the value of a nickel has diminished, so too has the value of many things once considered precious.

At the core of this statement is the inevitability of change. The nickel, once a coin that could buy a small treat or a drink, no longer holds the same value it once did. It is a symbol of a greater truth—that as time passes, the things we once took for granted begin to lose their substance, their worth, in the face of shifting economies, shifting ideologies, and shifting human needs. Just as the nickel has lost its meaning in the modern world, so too do many of the things we once held dear begin to fade, replaced by new desires, new goals, and new understandings.

In the ancient world, the value of things was not just measured by gold or silver but by the virtue they embodied. The mighty Romans, in their grandeur, placed immense worth on their citizens, their traditions, and their laws. Yet, even Rome itself was not immune to the ravages of time. The walls of Rome may have stood tall, but as the empire expanded, its values became diluted, and its currency began to lose meaning. The denarius, once a strong symbol of Roman wealth, eventually fell in value, much like Berra’s nickel. It was not just the coins that lost worth, but the very idea of stability and endurance that had once been synonymous with Rome.

Consider the fate of the philosophers in ancient Greece. Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle spoke of virtue, truth, and wisdom—concepts that transcended material wealth. Yet, even their teachings were subject to the passing of time. The pursuit of knowledge remained, but the methods, the societies, and the very frameworks of thought they laid out were constantly evolving. What was once considered sacred and unchangeable became malleable, shaped by the hands of those who came after. Change, therefore, is not only inevitable but also an integral part of the human condition—one that shapes both our material world and our ideas.

In our modern age, the lesson of Berra’s words speaks to the impermanence of all things. Just as a nickel no longer holds the weight it once did, so too do our material possessions, our technologies, and even our relationships undergo transformations. We must recognize that value is not constant—it is something that fluctuates, that shifts with time. And just as a nickel can lose its meaning, so too can the things we hold most dear, unless we adapt to the changes that life demands.

The story of John D. Rockefeller, the great American industrialist, serves as an apt reminder. In his prime, he amassed an immense fortune, acquiring wealth that many believed could never diminish. Yet, as the world changed, so did the nature of wealth. The industrial age gave way to the digital age, and the values that once defined success—wealth, power, and influence—began to evolve into something more abstract. As time passed, Rockefeller’s immense fortune, while still significant, was no longer the sole measure of his success. What truly stood the test of time was his legacy—his contributions to the development of philanthropy and the shaping of modern business practices.

Thus, the lesson of Yogi Berra’s words is not just a reflection on the worth of money but on the very nature of change itself. The nickel no longer holds the value it once did, and so too must we recognize that the things we hold dear—be they material possessions, ideas, or traditions—are not immune to the forces of time and progress. It is not enough to simply hold on to the past; we must be willing to adapt, to evolve, and to find new ways to ascribe value to the world around us. The world is constantly changing, and our ability to navigate that change will determine how we move forward.

So, let us take this lesson with us: the value of things, both material and immaterial, is not static. It shifts, it transforms, and it requires us to be ever watchful, ever adaptable, and ever willing to reassess what we hold dear. Let us recognize the impermanence of things and, rather than clinging to them, seek to embrace the new opportunities that arise from the changing tides of time. For, as Berra teaches us, if we refuse to acknowledge change, we may find that the very things we cherish lose their worth entirely.