But here is the warning. At its best, the life of a human being must involve not just a sense of what the basic necessities for survival might be, but also a sense of what is most important, and what should be valued with respect. The higher things in life, in human culture, and in the potential self-realization of human beings, aren't obvious without cultivation, education, and personal development. If we don't ever look beyond issues of safety and comfort, and seek to develop ourselves, our awareness of life, and our higher aspirations, we become like the ass in an unfortunate way. We fail to perceive, and thus fail to want, what might be really best for us.
Understanding brings options.
And understanding motivates. The ass will probably always prefer a bed of litter to a golden throne. But if we have similar preferances, it had better be out of informed choice rather than ignorance. Heraclitus seemed to believe that most human beings live foolishly most of the time. And he may have been right.