This quote is a commentary on the perceived decline of societal values and standards. The first part, “Times are bad. Children no longer obey their parents,” suggests a breakdown of discipline and respect in the fundamental unit of society, the family. This could be interpreted as a lament for a perceived loss of traditional values and the erosion of authority figures.
The second part of the quote, “and everyone is writing a book,” may be seen as a critique of the proliferation of voices and opinions. In Cicero’s time, writing a book was a significant undertaking, reserved for the educated elite. The idea that ‘everyone’ is writing a book could suggest a dilution of quality, with too many people believing their ideas are worth sharing, leading to an overload of information, but with less depth and wisdom.
Applying this to today’s world, one could argue that we are experiencing a similar phenomenon. With the advent of the internet and social media, everyone can now voice their opinions, leading to a vast amount of information, but not necessarily wisdom or truth. The breakdown of traditional authority figures and rise of individualism could be compared to children no longer obeying their parents.
In terms of personal development, this quote could serve as a reminder to be discerning with the information we consume and the voices we listen to. It could also encourage us to respect and learn from traditional wisdom and authority, while also appreciating the value of individual thought and expression. It might also inspire us to strive for quality over quantity in our own contributions, whether that’s in writing a book, posting on social media, or sharing our ideas in a meeting.
