The poet Robert Southey once wrote, "Man creates the evil he endures" (Southey 715). Over the course of time this quote has repeatedly proved itself. When thinking of the past and present, most people will consider the major differences of the time periods. True, there are many distinctions in the people and their cultures, including art, religion, technology, and other characteristics of society. However, many times the underlying similarity is disregarded. No matter how far into the recorded past one may travel, the nature of man himself remains the same. For this reason it can be said that certain societal ills existed centuries ago in a world very similar to today. Thus, it is this sinfulness which provides the common link between modern man and his predecessors.

The sinful nature of man can be traced back to biblical times. The Bible itself accounts for the multitude of sins committed...