In spite of all the progress of modern civilization that has been made in all departments of life, such as commerce, industry, politics, and economics, the question still remains whether we have really progressed. If one observes the superficiality of the life which man lives today in the so-called civilized parts of the world, one will certainly find that he is far removed from nature both within and without, and he has become an exile from the ideal state of life.

The more laws that are made, the more crimes are committed;
the more mechanisms that are prepared, the more work increases, and yet little is being done;
the more lawsuits that are brought in court, the more cases occur;
the more physicians, the more diseases.
Cupidity has come to the fore so that whether one has an aristocratic or a democratic system, justice seems to be absent.
Also, in spite of the regard for the rights of women which have been established in this age, woman's responsibility in life has much increased. She has to fight her battle in the open field, which naturally exhausts her energy and courage, causing her to lose her inherently free nature as she has constantly to rub against the rough edges of life.
The prejudice, hatred, and distrust that exist between nations whether friends or foes, every nation being absorbed in its own interest regardless of the people in general, have reflected on the mentality of individuals and have made life difficult for both rich and poor.
Everywhere one turns one sees material strife; every ideal, every principle has to be sacrificed for it.