I also know such young people, quite a few actually, but generally speaking I think it's not common. Reward for effort has been (generally) replaced with reward for no reason and I disagree with that ethos, the expectation-ethos; nothing will make me change my mind on that, literally nothing.
On the Latin (which I studied at school actually)...it's so cool that you looked that up and so relevant what you say about society having (generally) lost the sense of sacred...the sense that there is something larger than themselves...Selfishness seems to have supplanted other more productive traits.
Curmudgeon? probably not, just someone with the enough life behind you to see perspective, understand the effects or regret and to have seen a lot of change for the worse. It's called wisdom.
I also studied Latin for two years, and from those years I still use the dictionary. It seems important to me to know the root of the concepts we use. About what you say about me, I am very grateful for your generosity. It is usual that behind some nice words there is only personal interest, at least that is my experience. Thank you very much for your kind words.
I just call things as I see them and you've demonstrated, in your communication with me, that you're intelligent, self-reflective, humble and kind and also wise.
Now I don't know what to tell you, other than to thank you again and wish you a life as you have had so far, full of meaning. Of course, you'll take care of that, hahaha!
Have a great weekend
No need to tell me anything at all, but your weekend well-wishes are most welcome. :)