The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Greed is a bottomless pit which exhausts the person in an endless effort to satisfy the need without ever reaching satisfaction.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
Next to excellence is the appreciation of it.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
So long as we can lose any happiness, we possess some.
—Booth Tarkington (1869–1946) American Novelist, Dramatist
Appreciation, whether of nature, or books, or art, or men, depends very much on temperament.—What is beauty or genius or greatness to one, is far from being so to another.
—Tryon Edwards (1809–94) American Theologian, Author
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
This only grant me, that my means may lie too low for envy, for contempt too high.
—Abraham Cowley (1618–67) English Poet, Essayist
I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset I possess. The way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.
—Charles M. Schwab (1862–1939) American Businessperson
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
It is not customary to love what one has.
—Anatole France (1844–1924) French Novelist
He has enough who is contented with little.
—Unknown
In an audience of rough people a generous sentiment always brings down the house.—In the tumult of war both sides applaud a heroic deed.
—Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823–1911) American Social Reformer, Clergyman
I expect that all of us get pretty much what we deserve of appreciation.
—A. C. Benson (1862–1925) English Essayist, Poet, Academic
Long only for what you have.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
If we get everything that we want, we will soon want nothing that we get.
—Vernon Luchies (1927–2012) American Clergyman
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
When a nation gives birth to a man who is able to produce a great thought, another is born who is able to understand and admire it.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
To be satisfied with what one has; that is wealth. As long as one sorely needs a certain additional amount, that man isn’t rich.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
I knew I had no lyrical quality, a small vocabulary, little gift of metaphor. The original and striking simile never occurred to me. Poetic flights… were beyond my powers. On the other hand, I had an acute power of observation, and it seemed to me that I could see a great many things that other people missed. I could put down in clear terms what I saw… I knew that I should never write as well as I could wish, but I thought, with pains, that I could arrive at writing as well as my natural defects allowed.
—W. Somerset Maugham (1874–1965) British Novelist, Short-Story Writer, Playwright
When we cannot get what we love, we must love what is within our reach.
—French Proverb
While you fear missing a meal, you aren’t fully aware of the meals you do eat.
—Dan Millman (b.1946) American Children’s Books Writer, Sportsperson
If only every man would make proper use of his strength and do his utmost, he need never regret his limited ability.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
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
Eden is that old-fashioned house we dwell in every day without suspecting our abode until we drive away.
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
It’s not easy to find your own way when you believe that you need love, approval, appreciation, or anything from your family. It’s particularly hard when you want them to see things your way.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking what you have, instead of what you don’t have.
—Woody Allen (b.1935) American Film Actor, Director
A prudent man will think more important what fate has conceded to him, than what it has denied.
—Baltasar Gracian (1601–58) Spanish Scholar, Prose Writer
To love one that is great, is almost to be great one’s self.
—Suzanne Curchod (1739–94) French-Swiss Salonist, Writer
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
There is a serious defect in the thinking of someone who wants—more than anything else—to become rich. As long as they don’t have the money, it’ll seem like a worthwhile goal. Once they do, they’ll understand how important other things are—and have always been.
—Anita Loos (1888–1981) American Actor, Novelist, Screenwriter
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