He is incapable of a truly good action who finds not a pleasure in contemplating the good actions of others.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
If one should give me a dish of sand, and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes, and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it; and how would it draw to itself the almost invisible particles by the mere power of attraction! The unthinkful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
No gain satisfies a greedy mind.
—Latin Proverb
He who is contented is rich.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.
—Henri Frederic Amiel (1821–81) Swiss Moral Philosopher, Poet, Critic
You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
We are so often caught up in our destination that we forget to appreciate the journey, especially the goodness of the people we meet on the way. Appreciation is a wonderful feeling, don’t overlook it.
—Unknown
Double, no triple, our troubles and we’d still be better off than any other people on earth. It is time that we recognized that ours was, in truth, a noble cause.
—Ronald Reagan (1911–2004) American Head of State
The tulip is, among flowers, what the peacock is among birds. A tulip lacks scent, a peacock has an unpleasant voice. The one takes pride in its garb, the other in its tail.
—French Proverb
It is with certain good qualities as with the senses; those who have them not can neither appreciate nor comprehend them in others.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
If all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion, most people would be content to take their own and depart.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.
—Elbert Hubbard (1856–1915) American Writer, Publisher, Artist, Philosopher
If the only prayer you ever say in your whole life is “thank you,” that would suffice.
—Meister Eckhart (c.1260–1327) German Christian Mystic
He is rich that is satisfied.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The superiority of the distant over the present is only due to the mass and variety of the pleasures that can be suggested, compared with the poverty of those that can at any time be felt.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
To be able to dispense with good things is tantamount to possessing them.
—Jean-Francois Regnard (1655–1709) French Dramatist
He has enough who is contented with little.
—Unknown
Next to invention is the power of interpreting invention; next to beauty the power of appreciating beauty.
—Margaret Fuller (1810–50) American Feminist, Writer, Revolutionary
He who curbs his desires will always be rich enough.
—French Proverb
Independence may be found in comparative as well as in absolute abundance; I mean where a person contracts his desires within the limits of his fortune.
—William Shenstone (1714–63) British Poet, Landscape Gardener
Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.
—Jean Antoine Petit-Senn (1792–1870) French-Swiss Lyric Poet
One is never fortunate or as unfortunate as one imagines.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn’t people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?
—Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890–1995) American Socialite, Philanthropist
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.
—Unknown
It is not the failure of others to appreciate your abilities that should trouble you, but rather your failure to appreciate theirs.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
He who is content in his poverty is wonderfully rich.
—Unknown
Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
He who receives a benefit with gratitude repays the first installment on his debt.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
How many things there are which I do not want.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
He who is greedy is always in want.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Leave a Reply