Our desires always increase with our possessions. The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
He is rich that is satisfied.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
My crown is in my heart, not on my head, Nor decked with diamonds and Indian stones, Nor to be seen: My crown is called content: A crown it is, that seldom kings enjoy.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
We always have enough to be happy if we are enjoying what we do have—and not worrying about what we don’t have.
—Ken Keyes Jr. (1921–95) American Personal Growth Author
It matters very little whether a man is discontented in the name of pessimism or progress, if his discontent does in fact paralyse his power of appreciating what he has got.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
If your desires be endless, your cares and fears will be so, too.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Greed lessens what is gathered.
—Arabic Proverb
Those who make us happy are always thankful to us for being so; their gratitude is the reward of their benefits.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.
—Chinese Proverb
Maybe the only thing worse than having to give gratitude constantly is having to accept it.
—William Faulkner (1897–1962) American Novelist
You convey too great a compliment when you say that I have earned the right to the presidential nomination. No man can establish such an obligation upon any part of the American people. My country owes me no debt. It gave me, as it gives every boy and girl, a chance. It gave me schooling, independence of action, opportunity for service and honor. In no other land could a boy from a country village, without inheritance or influential friends, look forward with unbounded hope. My whole life has taught me what America means. I am indebted to my country beyond any human power to repay.
—Herbert Hoover (1874–1964) 31st American President
He who curbs his desires will always be rich enough.
—French Proverb
We count our miseries carefully, and accept our blessings without much thought.
—Chinese Proverb
Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
So long as we can lose any happiness, we possess some.
—Booth Tarkington (1869–1946) American Novelist, Dramatist
All fortune belongs to him who has a contented mind.
—The Panchatantra Indian Collection of Fables and Folktales
When I first open my eyes upon the morning meadows and look out upon the beautiful world, I thank God I am alive.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Eaten bread is soon forgotten.
—Thomas Fuller (1608–61) English Cleric, Historian
Epicurus says, “gratitude is a virtue that has commonly profit annexed to it.” And where is the virtue that has not? But still the virtue is to be valued for itself, and not for the profit that attends it.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Sufficiency’s enough for men of sense.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
One is never fortunate or as unfortunate as one imagines.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
God deserves far more praise than any of us could ever give Him.
—Unknown
There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.
—Robert Brault
Scarcity creates value.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.
—William Bennett (b.1943) American Politician, Political Theorist, Government Official
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 deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
When I find a great deal of gratitude in a poor man, I take it for granted there would be as much generosity if he were rich.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
The public have neither shame or gratitude.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
The real tragedy of life is not being limited to one talent, but in failing to use that one talent.
—E. W. Howe (1853–1937) American Novelist, Editor
Gratitude is not only the memory but the homage of the heart rendered to God for his goodness.
—Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806–67) American Poet, Playwright, Essayist
That’s the trouble with directors. Always biting the hand that lays the golden egg.
—Samuel Goldwyn (1879–1974) Polish-born American Film Producer, Businessperson
Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don’t unravel.
—Unknown
Life is a progress from want to want, not from enjoyment to enjoyment.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Next to ingratitude, the most painful thing to bear is gratitude.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
He is poor who does not feel content.
—Japanese Proverb
Too much is unwholesome.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
He who is content in his poverty is wonderfully rich.
—Unknown
Slight not what’s near through aiming at what’s far.
—Euripides (480–406 BCE) Ancient Greek Dramatist
We hope that, when the insects take over the world, they will remember with gratitude how we took them along on all our picnics.
—Burton Hillis (William E. Vaughan) (1915–77) American Columnist, Author
To be able to dispense with good things is tantamount to possessing them.
—Jean-Francois Regnard (1655–1709) French Dramatist
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
Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow. A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
What a miserable thing life is: you’re living in clover, only the clover isn’t good enough.
—Bertolt Brecht (1898–1956) German Poet, Playwright, Theater Personality
Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Contentment is worth more than riches.
—German Proverb
Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep.
—Felix Frankfurter (1882–1965) American Judge
Ask the gods nothing excessive.
—Aeschylus (525–456 BCE) Greek Poet
Only a stomach that rarely feels hungry scorns common things.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet