Why are so many people in society so weak these days with such high standards and such delicate emotions?

Is all success in life - our maturity, perhaps - mostly about our willingness to accept and endure pain and discomfort? Is our natural urge to seek comfort our biggest challenge and obstacle?
Why do people sometimes need to change their environment before they can truly change their behavior?
How do you decide which personal truths are worth the risk of losing your physical liberty?
How does the fear of wasting past effort keep people committed to choices that no longer make sense?