There were many good years. Good decades, good centuries. We believed we were living in paradise. Perhaps that was our downfall. We wanted our lives to be perfect, so we ignored imperfections. Problems were magnified through inattention and war might have become inevitable if the Bore hadn't ever made.
The passage reflects on the illusion of perfection that often blinds people to underlying issues. It suggests that during prosperous times, such as good years, decades, or centuries, society tends to overlook imperfections, believing that everything is ideally situated. This tendency to ignore problems can lead to significant consequences, as it fosters an environment where issues can fester and grow.
Furthermore, the text indicates that this denial of imperfections might pave the way for conflicts, implying that war could become unavoidable if societal challenges are not addressed. The mention of "the Bore" alludes to a pivotal event in the book's world, hinting that greater forces or actions, possibly related to human choices, can result in disastrous outcomes despite an initial state of perceived paradise.