God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?”
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Scarcity creates value.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
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
No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.
—Unknown
If you can’t appreciate what you have got then get what you appreciate.
—Unknown
May we never let the things we can’t have, or don’t have, or shouldn’t have, spoil our enjoyment of the things we do have and can have. As we value our happiness, let us not forget it, for one of the greatest lessons in life is learning to be happy without the things we cannot or should not have.
—Richard L. Evans (1906–71) American Mormon Religions Leader
If thou covetest riches, ask not but for contentment, which is an immense treasure.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Whoever is not in his coffin and the dark grave, let him know he has enough.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
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
There is satiety in all things, in sleep, and love-making, in the loveliness of singing and the innocent dance.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
The greedy man is incontinent with a whole world set before him.
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
The aim of life is appreciation; there is no sense in not appreciating things; and there is no sense in having more of them if you have less appreciation of them.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
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
You may fail to shine in the opinion of others, both in your conversation and actions, from being superior, as well as inferior, to them.
—George Greville, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1746–1816) British Nobleman, Politician
The private and personal blessings we enjoy, the blessings of immunity, safeguard, liberty, and integrity, deserve the thanksgiving of a whole life.
—Jeremy Taylor
We are very much what others think of us. The reception our observations meet with gives us courage to proceed, or damps our efforts.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
Nothing will content him who is not content with a little.
—Greek Proverb
The greatest need of every human being is the need for appreciation.
—Unknown
By plucking her petals, you do not gather the beauty of the flower.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
Money and time are the heaviest burdens of life, and the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
To love one that is great, is almost to be great one’s self.
—Suzanne Curchod (1739–94) French-Swiss Salonist, Writer
Content may dwell in all stations. To be low, but above contempt, may be high enough to be happy.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
The covetous man is always poor.
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
If there’s no bread, cakes are very good.
—Spanish Proverb
We are never content with our lot.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
We must never undervalue any person.—The workman loves not to have his work despised in his presence. Now God is present everywhere, and every person is his work.
—Francis de Sales (1567–1622) French Catholic Saint
Hay is more acceptable to an ass than gold.
—Latin Proverb
Try to live the life of the good man who is more than content with what is allocated to him.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
For everything you have missed, you have gained something else; and for everything you gain, you lose something else.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
He who curbs his desires will always be rich enough.
—French Proverb
No story is the same to us after a lapse of time; or rather we who read it are no longer the same interpreters.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
He is not poor that hath not much, but he that craves much.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
The way to love anything is to realize that it may be lost.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
The greatest wealth is contentment with a little.
—Unknown
The half is greater than the whole.
—Hesiod (f.700 BCE) Greek Poet
For if there is a sin against life, it consists perhaps not so much in despairing of life as in hoping for another life and in eluding the implacable grandeur of this life.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Essayist, Novelist, Author
The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom; for we never know what is enough until we know what is more than enough.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
The average man is rich enough when he has a little more than he has got.
—William Ralph Inge (1860–1954) English Anglican Clergyman, Priest, Mystic
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
We risk all in being too greedy.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
He who is greedy is always in want.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
Not what we have, but what we enjoy, constitutes our abundance.
—Jean Antoine Petit-Senn (1792–1870) Swiss Poet
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
It is always possible to be thankful for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given.
—Elisabeth Elliot (b.1926) American Christian Author, Speaker
He who is content in his poverty is wonderfully rich.
—Unknown
A little praise goes a great ways.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher