In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.

The line offers a compact form of historical perspective: moments of crisis feel unprecedented from inside them, but human societies have repeatedly endured upheaval—war, economic distress, political turmoil, cultural conflict—and continued. By reminding listeners that “times like these” are not unique, the quote aims to reduce panic and fatalism, encouraging steadiness and resilience. It also implies that earlier generations found ways through comparable trials, so present difficulties are survivable and may even be instructive. The reassurance is not that problems are trivial, but that they are part of a recurring pattern in history, and remembering that pattern can restore proportion and hope.