The people who live in a golden age usually go around complaining

In the grand sweep of history, there are moments when humanity experiences what we call a golden age—a time of prosperity, peace, and great achievement. And yet, it is often in these very moments that the greatest complaints are voiced. Randall Jarrell, in his sharp and thought-provoking wisdom, tells us, "The people who live in a golden age usually go around complaining how yellow everything looks." This paradoxical truth reveals the discontent that often arises in times of plenty. Those who live in prosperity, surrounded by abundance, sometimes fail to appreciate the beauty and blessings of their age. Instead, they focus on the flaws, the imperfections, and the things that do not meet their expectations.

The ancients understood the fickleness of human nature. The Greek philosophers, particularly Socrates and Plato, often spoke of how the soul, when faced with comfort and ease, can become restless. Socrates taught that contentment did not arise from external circumstances, but from within the soul—through self-awareness, wisdom, and the understanding of one’s purpose in life. Yet, many people, especially in times of abundance, fall prey to the false belief that happiness lies in the world around them. They yearn for something greater, something more, and as a result, they fail to appreciate the blessings of their time. Jarrell’s quote is a reflection of this age-old truth—how those living in a golden age may not recognize its golden qualities, for their minds are clouded with discontent.

Consider the example of Rome during the Pax Romana—a time of peace, prosperity, and territorial expansion that lasted for over two centuries. The Roman Empire reached its height, with incredible achievements in architecture, governance, and culture. And yet, the citizens of Rome, as they reveled in the abundance of their golden age, were not content. The Roman elite complained about the decline of values, about the moral decay they perceived in society, despite the fact that they lived in one of the most prosperous and stable periods in history. They were so focused on the imagined flaws in their world that they overlooked the great blessings they had, much like the people Jarrell describes—those who live in a golden age but complain about its color.

There is also the Renaissance, a time of unprecedented cultural and intellectual achievement, where art, literature, and science flourished. Yet, even during this time of rebirth, many thinkers and artists expressed discontent. Michelangelo, in his later years, voiced frustration with the very works that made him famous, seeing flaws in them even as the world marveled at his genius. Similarly, the Medici family, who were the patrons of the arts during the Renaissance, often complained about the lack of moral values in the artists they supported, despite the immense cultural achievements being made. The golden age they were living in seemed to them, in some ways, tinged with yellow—a color of disappointment rather than appreciation.

The lesson here is profound and timeless: contentment cannot be found in the external world alone. It is not the circumstances of our lives, but our perspective on them that shapes our experience. When we are surrounded by abundance, we are often blind to its value. Instead of seeing the golden age for what it is—an era of opportunity, growth, and peace—we focus on the minor imperfections, the things that fall short of our expectations. In doing so, we miss the richness of the moment, the beauty of the present.

Jarrell’s wisdom calls us to reflect on our own lives. Are we, too, living in a golden age—whether in terms of personal prosperity, cultural achievement, or peace—and yet complaining about the small flaws around us? How often do we fail to see the riches of our own lives, focusing instead on the things that irritate us, that don't meet our desires or dreams? The lesson is to appreciate the age we are in, to see the gold even in the yellow hues, and to recognize that the imperfections we complain about are often part of the very beauty of the moment.

Therefore, let us take this wisdom to heart. The golden age we are living in—whether in our personal lives, in our communities, or in history—must be embraced with gratitude and awareness. Instead of complaining about what is missing or flawed, let us celebrate what we have. Let us see the beauty in the world, not through the lens of dissatisfaction, but with the clarity of gratitude and the wisdom to recognize the treasure before us. The age we live in, and the life we are given, is filled with its own golden moments. It is our responsibility to see them, appreciate them, and pass that appreciation on to the generations that follow.