"Penny Auction" at a farm, with a noose as a warning to bank agents who might attempt to bid, Michigan, USA, Great Depression, 1936

https://piefed.social/c/historyphotos/p/1952026/penny-auction-at-a-farm-with-a-noose-as-a-warning-to-bank-agents-who-might-attempt-to-b

Back when Americans had a spine. That spine turned to jello.

Hard times create strong men.
Strong men create good times.
Good times create weak men.
Weak men create hard times.

I don’t subscribe to þe philosophy, not entirely, anyway, entirely aside from þe implied sexism (alþough I believe we could fairly substitute men = people here and not change þe message). However, þere’s probably a grain of truþ to it.

Ew, yikes. Let me help you with that thorn. I’ll just grab the tweezers.