Many inventions and discoveries have been made, and men are now able to enjoy comforts which could not have been obtained before.
From a material point of view we have certainly progressed, but do the "civilized" people in the West live longer than the so-called semi-civilized races?
Have they succeeded in prolonging their lives?
Are they happier than others?
I should like to hear their answers.

Is it not a fact that Americans are more liable to catch cold than Asiatics; with the least change of air, and with the slightest appearance of an epidemic are they not more easily infected than Asiatics?
If so, why?
With their genius for invention why have they not discovered means to safeguard themselves so that they can live longer on this earth?
Again, can Americans say that they are happier than the Chinese?
From personal observation I have formed the opinion that the Chinese are more contented than Americans, and on the whole happier; and certainly one meets more old people in China than in America.

Since the United States of America is rich, well governed, and provided with more material comforts than China, Americans, one would think, should be happier than we are, but are they?
Are there not many in their midst who are friendless and penurious?
In China no man is without friends, or if he is, it is his own fault.

"Virtue is never friendless," said Confucius, and, as society is constituted in China, this is literally true.

If this is not so in America I fear there is something wrong with that boasted civilization, and that their material triumphs over the physical forces of nature have been paid dearly for by a loss of insight into her profound spiritualities.
Perhaps some will understand when I quote Lao Tsze's address to Confucius on "Simplicity".