If "good times" created weak men, they weren't really good, were they? A good man creates new good men. The rest is trash.
Discussion
Good times create soft men
The men make themselves. It's up to you to live your life. If soft is appropriate for the environment, so be it; what matters is being prepared and being true to your principles.
Insightful. Yeah, the forth turning pattern is a valid observation but that doesn't mean it's inevitable or good