God deserves far more praise than any of us could ever give Him.
—Unknown
When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Just because you like my stuff doesn’t mean I owe you anything.
—Bob Dylan (b.1941) American Singer-songwriter
Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
What you really value is what you miss, not what you have.
—Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986) Argentine Writer, Essayist, Poet
Men should thank God alike for evil and for good.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, – a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
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
Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Too much is unwholesome.
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Scarcity creates value.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
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
To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.
—Ken Keyes Jr. (1921–95) American Personal Growth Author
Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart—a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water—I accept with joy.
—The Bhagavad Gita Hindu Scripture
One is never fortunate or as unfortunate as one imagines.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
Seeds of discouragement will not grow in the thankful heart.
—Anonymous
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
Happiness is itself a kind of gratitude.
—Joseph Wood Krutch (1893–1970) American Writer, Critic, Naturalist
Contentment is worth more than riches.
—German Proverb
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
Jesus is moved to happiness every time He sees that you appreciate what He has done for you. Grip His pierced hand and say to Him, “I thank Thee, Savior, because Thou hast died for me”. Thank Him likewise for all the other blessings He has showered upon you from day to day. It brings joy to Jesus.
—Ole Hallesby (1879–1961) Norwegian Lutheran Theologian
There is no such thing as gratitude unexpressed. If it is unexpressed, it is plain, old-fashioned ingratitude.
—Robert Brault
We risk all in being too greedy.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer
To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
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
If God adds another day to our life, let us receive it gladly.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
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