Paradox

The paradox of our time in history is that
We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
Wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
We spend more, but have less;
We buy more, but enjoy it less.

We have bigger house and smaller families;
More convenience, but less time;
We have more degrees, but less sense;
More knowledge, but less judgment;
More experts, but more problems;
More medicine, but less wellness.

We have multiplied our possession, but reduced our values;
We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often;
We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life;
We’ve added years to life, not life to years.

We’ve been to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor;
We’ve conquered outer space, but not inner space;
We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice;
We have higher incomes, but lower morals;
We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of tall men and short character,
Steep profits, and shallow relationships.
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(These verses were written by a Columbine high school student)