"We are certainly in a common class with the beasts; every action of animal life is concerned with seeking bodily pleasure and avoiding pain"

Saint Augustine's quote recommends that humans and animals are essentially similar in their habits. He indicates that both human beings and animals are driven by the exact same fundamental impulse to look for satisfaction and avoid discomfort. This idea is supported by the fact that animals and human beings both have the same basic requirements for food, shelter, and safety. Furthermore, both human beings and animals can feeling satisfaction and discomfort, and will act to guarantee their own comfort and survival.

The quote also implies that people are not as various from animals as we may think. We might have more complex emotions and motivations, but at the end of the day, we are still driven by the very same basic impulse to look for enjoyment and avoid discomfort. This idea is important to think about when thinking about our relationship with animals and how we should treat them. We should acknowledge that animals are capable of feeling pleasure and discomfort, and should be treated with regard and compassion.