--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Say not, Why were the former days better…" description: "\"Say not, Why were the former days better than this? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this\" — Bible" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg" --- # Say not, Why were the former days better than this? For it… ![“Say not, Why were the former days better than this? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this” quote by Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg) > “Say not, Why were the former days better than this? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this” [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker questions nostalgia for the past, suggesting that longing for earlier times is not rooted in wisdom. **In simple terms:** Nostalgia isn’t wise. Key Takeaway Beware of romanticizing the past. Themes nostalgia wisdom reflection Mood contemplative melancholic Type reflective philosophical When to use this quote - personal reflection - historical analysis - cultural critique Key Concepts philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What makes you view the past as better? - How can you find wisdom in the present? A Different Perspective Past may be idealized, overlooking present opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [We all owe to others much of the gentleness and wisdom that we have made our own; and we may well ask ourselves what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-schweitzer/we-all-owe-to-others-much-of-the-gentleness-and-wisdom-that-we-have/) [Albert Schweitzer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-schweitzer/) > [“any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,† who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.†”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zondervan-publishing/any-of-you-lacks-wisdom-you-should-ask-god-who-gives-generously-to/) [Zondervan Publishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zondervan-publishing/) > [The first beginnings of wisdom...is to ask questions but never to answer any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flann-o-brien/the-first-beginnings-of-wisdom-is-to-ask-questions-but-never-to/) [Flann O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flann-o-brien/) > [“And the next time you worry about not being normal, just remember my words of wisdom.” “Which are?” I ask. “Fuck normal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-daltry/and-the-next-time-you-worry-about-not-being-normal-just-remember-my/) [Sarah Daltry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-daltry/) > [“I no longer ask You for either happiness or paradise; all I ask of You is to listen and let me be aware and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/i-no-longer-ask-you-for-either-happiness-or-paradise-all-i-ask-of-you/) [elie wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [If any man lacks wisdom he should ask our generous God whom given to all men without finding fault and it shall be given…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-any-man-lacks-wisdom-he-should-ask-our-generous-god-whom-given-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/if-any-of-you-lacks-wisdom-he-should-ask-god-who-gives-generously-to/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [FEAR will say GIVE UP! DETERMINATION will say KEEP TRYING! but WISDOM will ask IS IT WORTH IT?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/fear-will-say-give-up-determination-will-say-keep-trying-but-wisdom/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [ “There are five \[rules of wisdom\] in all. Always ask any questions that are to be asked and never answer any. Turn everything you… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flann-o-brien/there-are-five-rules-of-wisdom-in-all-always-ask-any-questions-that/) [Flann O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flann-o-brien/) > [“We're always just one decision away from disaster." "When you lack wisdom,ask God who gives generously to all."James1:5”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/we-re-always-just-one-decision-away-from-disaster-when-you-lack/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [To avail yourself of His certain wisdom, ask of Him whatever questions you have. But do not entreat Him, for that will never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/to-avail-yourself-of-his-certain-wisdom-ask-of-him-whatever-questions/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [“(God) will always grant us wisdom when we ask. And when we seek Him and obey Him, He works all things out for our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-schultz/god-will-always-grant-us-wisdom-when-we-ask-and-when-we-seek-him-and/) [Teresa Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-schultz/) > [Between wisdom and a good shield, always prefer the wisdom, because no shield can protect us better than wisdom!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/between-wisdom-and-a-good-shield-always-prefer-the-wisdom-because-no/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [It is better to have wisdom without learning than learning without wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/it-is-better-to-have-wisdom-without-learning-than-learning-without/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Ignorance and bungling with love are better than wisdom and skill without.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/ignorance-and-bungling-with-love-are-better-than-wisdom-and-skill/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## More by Bible > [As we recognize Palm Sunday, how you would welcome the Lord Jesus Christ into your own life on a daily basis. -Matt. 21:1-11](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/as-we-recognize-palm-sunday-how-you-would-welcome-the-lord-jesus/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. (Psalms 55:1)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/give-ear-to-my-prayer-o-god-and-hide-not-thyself-from-my-supplication/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/cast-me-not-off-in-the-time-of-old-age-forsake-me-not-when-my/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/jesus-said-unto-her-i-am-the-resurrection-and-the-life-he-that/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [A garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/a-garment-of-praise-instead-of-a-spirit-of-despair/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior, yes the Messiah, the Lord has been born…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/i-bring-you-the-most-joyful-news-ever-announced-and-it-is-for/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-saith-unto-him-every-man-at-the-beginning-doth-set-forth-good/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Their drink is sour: they have committed whoredom continually: her rulers with shame do love, Give ye.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/their-drink-is-sour-they-have-committed-whoredom-continually-her/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Our love must not be a thing of words and fine talk. It must be a thing of action and sincerity (1 John 3:18).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/our-love-must-not-be-a-thing-of-words-and-fine-talk-it-must-be-a/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [And the lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make thy bones: and thou shalt be like a spring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-the-lord-shall-guide-thee-continually-and-satisfy-thy-soul-in/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/now-the-brother-shall-betray-the-brother-to-death-and-the-father-the/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/so-ahab-went-up-to-eat-and-to-drink-and-elijah-went-up-to-the-top-of/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Do not be decieved; Evil company corrupts good habits.- 1 cori 15:33](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/do-not-be-decieved-evil-company-corrupts-good-habits-1-cori-15-33/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [He'd drink the piss from a brewer's horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/he-d-drink-the-piss-from-a-brewer-s-horse/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) > [Rebuke not an elder, but entreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/rebuke-not-an-elder-but-entreat-him-as-a-father-and-the-younger-men/) [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) [Explore all 1,153 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/) ## More Better quotes > [If what I write is literature, I guess you'd better emphasize the 'litter.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lydia-lunch/if-what-i-write-is-literature-i-guess-you-d-better-emphasize-the/) [Lydia Lunch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lydia-lunch/) > [Everybody has their cliques, and I was very shy. I'm still very shy. Music opened up doors. I would get to my choir class,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luis-fonsi/everybody-has-their-cliques-and-i-was-very-shy-i-m-still-very-shy/) [Luis Fonsi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luis-fonsi/) > [You can't force people to feel in a certain way, and the sooner you understand that,the better. I feel everything has its way of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sidharth-malhotra/you-can-t-force-people-to-feel-in-a-certain-way-and-the-sooner-you/) [Sidharth Malhotra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sidharth-malhotra/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [The bigger the canvas, the better I do. I'm not so good at understated, kitchen-sink kinds of parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/the-bigger-the-canvas-the-better-i-do-i-m-not-so-good-at-understated/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [The Little you Give !! The Better it Gets !!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-stanyer/the-little-you-give-the-better-it-gets/) [Mario Stanyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-stanyer/) > [A strong, durable Puerto Rican economy will leave the island better prepared to handle future natural disasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-campos-duffy/a-strong-durable-puerto-rican-economy-will-leave-the-island-better/) [Rachel Campos-Duffy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-campos-duffy/) > [In my first 100 days as Ontario's Minister of Transportation, I found a willing municipal partner in the City of Toronto that shares our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-mulroney/in-my-first-100-days-as-ontario-s-minister-of-transportation-i-found/) [Caroline Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-mulroney/) > [It hasn't been a conscious thing, like, 'I don't want to listen to a bunch of dudes,' but I genuinely like music by women…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soccer-mommy/it-hasn-t-been-a-conscious-thing-like-i-don-t-want-to-listen-to-a/) [Soccer Mommy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soccer-mommy/) > [Life is going to hit you some line drives, and sometimes you'll have to think fast. However, it's better to think first than to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/life-is-going-to-hit-you-some-line-drives-and-sometimes-you-ll-have/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [I like to collaborate with other people for studio recordings because I believe collaboration, in any form, makes music better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-barlow/i-like-to-collaborate-with-other-people-for-studio-recordings-because/) [Lou Barlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-barlow/) > [Absolutely, you can improve and become better at toughness. It's a talent, but it can be acquired, too. I think of it like building…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-harbaugh/absolutely-you-can-improve-and-become-better-at-toughness-it-s-a/) [Jim Harbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-harbaugh/) > [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/) [Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/) > [Cara Delevingne and I took an eyebrow selfie. We both have prominent eyebrows, but hers are much better than mine. Maybe we should do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-poulter/cara-delevingne-and-i-took-an-eyebrow-selfie-we-both-have-prominent/) [Will Poulter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-poulter/) > [I never really look at it past one year. I look at last year and my whole goal is to be a better player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-williams/i-never-really-look-at-it-past-one-year-i-look-at-last-year-and-my/) [Trent Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-williams/) Browse all 17,085 Better quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Say not, Why were the former days better than this? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bible" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better-than-this-for-it-is-not-from/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better-than-this-for-it-is-not-from/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b1/bible-141_better_say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better_275304.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Say not, Why were the former days better than this? For it is not from wisdom that you ask this” — Bible", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bible", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Say not, Why were the former...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better-than-this-for-it-is-not-from/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/say-not-why-were-the-former-days-better-than-this-for-it-is-not-from/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```