As Time Goes By

The more sand has escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.
- Niccolo Machiavelli

We should, but the damn hourglass sometimes gets a bit cloudy. As we age there are too many obstacles standing in the way of a clear outlook on life. Greed, an unwillingness to adapt to changes in society and infirmities all play a part.
In defense of the elderly,  although escaping sand has left the hourglass lighter, fatigue from a lifetime of reacting to challenges sometimes makes it an exercise in futility to try to make any sense out of today's issues. Before one can see clearly, he must have a clear mind. As Buddha said:

To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.

Easier said than done. That must be why we live in an imperfect world.