Consider the cattle, grazing as they pass you by. They do not know what is meant by yesterday or today, they leap about, eat, rest, digest, leap about again, and so from morn till night and from day to day, fettered to the moment and its pleasure or displeasure, and thus neither melancholy nor bored. [...] A human being may well ask an animal: 'Why do you not speak to me of your happiness but only stand and gaze at me?' The animal would like to answer, and say, 'The reason is I always forget what I was going to say' - but then he forgot this answer too, and stayed silent.

Summary

This quote from Friedrich Nietzsche reflects on the simplicity of being present in the moment, using cattle as an example. The quote suggests that animals do not dwell on past or future events and find contentment in experiencing the present through basic activities like eating and resting. In contrast, humans tend to be consumed by thoughts, expectations, and emotions that can rob them of happiness. The quote humorously suggests that animals may have their own kind of happiness, but they lack the ability to communicate it, emphasizing the fleeting nature of their experiences and their inability to hold onto or convey them.

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