Legacy code often presents overwhelming issues such as code smells, bugs, and low test coverage, leading developers to feel compelled to address these problems immediately. However, the text advocates for focusing on maintaining high standards in new code rather than delving into old code, as fixing technical debt can risk functional regression and often lacks the necessary resources. Developers are encouraged to take personal responsibility for the quality of new code, ensuring that it remains clean and error-free, while managers should prioritize addressing old code issues based on business needs. Tools like SonarQube provide automated solutions for monitoring code quality, assigning issues, and emphasizing the importance of clean new code, allowing gradual improvement as developers touch old code for new changes. The overarching message is to prioritize clean new code and let the natural course of business slowly address legacy issues, improving code quality over time.