As long as some creature experienced joy, then the condition for all other creatures included a fragment of joy. However, if any living being suffered, then for all the rest the shadow could not be entirely cast off. A herd animal such as man would acquire a higher survival factor through this; an owl or a cobra would be destroyed.
The quote reflects a deep philosophical notion about the interconnectedness of joy and suffering among living beings. It suggests that when even a single creature experiences happiness, it contributes positively to the collective well-being of all. Conversely, the pain experienced by one being casts a shadow over others, implicating a shared emotional landscape. This perspective underscores the idea that joy is a unifying force, while suffering has a more isolating impact....
