Shall we never have done with that cliche, so stupid that it could only be human, about the sympathy of animals for man when he is unhappy? Animals love happiness almost as much as we do. A fit of crying disturbs them, they'll sometimes imitate sobbing, and for a moment they'll reflect our sadness. But they flee unhappiness as they flee fever, and I believe that in the long run they are capable of boycotting it.

Summary

In this quote, the author critiques the common idea that animals sympathize with humans when they are upset. The author argues that animals, like humans, prioritize happiness and actively avoid unhappiness. While they may briefly mimic human emotions like sobbing, they ultimately reject sadness and discomfort. The author suggests that animals have the capability to disengage from unhappiness and suggests the need to move beyond the cliché that implies animals possess a deeper level of sympathy towards human sorrow.

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