Some advice fades with time. What sounded wise in one decade can feel laughably outdated in another. But every now and then, a piece of old-school wisdom sneaks up and reminds you—it’s still rock solid, even if the world around it has changed.
I grew up in the 60s and came of age in the 70s. And let me tell you, for all the tie-dye and transistor radios, there were some truths passed around back then that still stick with me today.
They weren’t always fancy. They weren’t based on data. But they were grounded in common sense, hard-earned experience, and a kind of practicality that didn’t need to be tweeted to be remembered.
So here are 10 bits of wisdom from that era that, in my humble opinion, still hold their weight in today’s world.
1. “If you borrow something, return it in better shape than you found it.”
I first heard this from my uncle after I borrowed his old lawnmower and brought it back with half a tank of gas and grass still clinging to the blades.
He didn’t yell. He just said, “Farley, always leave things better than you found them—especially when they’re not yours.”
It’s about respect. Responsibility. And it applies to more than lawnmowers—think relationships, jobs, conversations.
Leave your mark in a way that says, “You were worth the effort.”
2. “Don’t make promises when you’re happy, and don’t make decisions when you’re angry.”
Back then, we didn’t call it emotional regulation. But the idea was the same.
When you’re in a high state—joy, rage, excitement—you’re not always thinking straight. And the folks who kept their word were the ones who learned to wait.
Sleep on it. Think it through. Let the dust settle.
Then speak.
3. “If you want to know a person’s character, watch how they treat people who can’t do anything for them.”
This one got passed around at church picnics and front porches. It wasn’t about impressing bosses or friends—it was about how you treated the grocery clerk, the janitor, the stray dog.
Character wasn’t loud. It was revealed in the quiet moments.
Still is.
4. “A firm handshake and eye contact go a long way.”
Some might say this one’s outdated in the world of texting and virtual meetings. But trust me—it still matters.
The handshake may be optional these days, but presence is not. Looking someone in the eye, giving them your full attention—it tells them they matter.
People remember how you made them feel more than what you said.
5. “If you break it, you fix it—or pay for it.”
Accountability wasn’t just a buzzword in the 60s and 70s—it was expected.
Whether it was a window, a promise, or someone’s trust—if you messed it up, you made it right.
That mindset? It builds a kind of quiet respect. For yourself, and from others.
6. “Don’t air your dirty laundry in public.”
I remember my mother saying this with a raised eyebrow when she heard someone arguing loudly on their front porch.
Now, we’ve got people airing everything online—relationships, drama, grudges—all in real time.
There’s still value in keeping some things private. Not because you’re hiding, but because not everything needs an audience.
Sometimes the most mature thing you can do is handle your business quietly.
7. “Treat everyone like you might need their help someday.”
Not in a manipulative way—but in a human way.
Back then, communities leaned on each other. You never knew when the man down the street might be the one helping your kid change a flat tire.
Kindness was currency. It still is.
And in a world where it’s easy to ghost, dismiss, or scroll past people—you never lose by treating others with respect.
8. “Just because it’s popular doesn’t mean it’s right.”
In the 60s and 70s, this was said in everything from protest circles to kitchen tables.
It was a reminder to think for yourself. Question trends. Don’t follow the crowd just because the crowd’s loud.
Still true today—maybe more than ever.
Popular doesn’t always mean wise. And if you’ve got a gut feeling that something’s off, trust it—even if everyone else seems fine with it.
9. “Work hard, but don’t forget to live.”
I once knew a man who worked 12-hour days for 40 years straight. Built a good life. Put three kids through school.
But when he finally retired, he didn’t know what to do with himself. He’d forgotten how to enjoy life.
The best advice I ever got was to make room for joy now. A walk. A laugh. A song on the radio.
Yes, work matters. But so does living while you’re still young enough to enjoy it.
10. “Your word is your bond.”
If you said you’d do something—you did it. If you couldn’t, you called and explained.
That kind of reliability built reputations that lasted a lifetime.
In a world of broken promises and ghosted plans, showing up when you say you will is a rare and beautiful thing.
Keep your word—even when it’s inconvenient. Especially then.
A final thought
Not everything from the past is worth carrying forward. But some pieces? They’re gold. Not because they’re old, but because they speak to something timeless.
Respect. Accountability. Simplicity. Doing what’s right, even when no one’s watching.
If you’re someone who still holds onto these bits of wisdom, don’t let anyone tell you you’re out of touch.
You’re not old-fashioned.
You’re rooted. And in a world that changes by the minute, that’s more valuable than ever.
