Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.
—Buddhist Teaching
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
If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.
—Frank A. Clark
I finally realized that being grateful to my body was key to giving more love to myself.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
Gratitude is the heart’s memory.
—French Proverb
Few love what they may have.
—Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso) (c.43 BCE–c.18 CE) Roman Poet
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
Be content with what thou hast received, and smooth thy frowning forehead.
—Hafez (1325–89) Persian Poet, Mystic
There is no greater difference between men than between grateful and ungrateful people.
—Reginald Horace Blyth (1898–1964) British Japanologist, Zen Author
He who is content in his poverty is wonderfully rich.
—Unknown
Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
Living in the moment brings you a sense of reverence for all of life’s blessings.
—Oprah Winfrey (b.1954) American TV Personality
If you have lived, take thankfully the past.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
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
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
When we were children we were grateful to those who filled our stockings at Christmas time. Why are we not grateful to God for filling our stockings with legs?
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
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
He is poor who does not feel content.
—Japanese Proverb
I would thank you from the bottom of my heart, but for you my heart has no bottom.
—Anonymous
Contentment is worth more than riches.
—German Proverb
I never complained of the vicissitudes of fortune, nor suffered my face to be overcast at the revolution of the heavens, except once when my feet were bare, and I had not the means of obtaining shoes. I came to the chief of Kufah in a state of much dejection, and saw there a man who had no feet. I returned thanks to God and acknowledged his mercies, and endured my want of shoes with patience, and exclaimed,
“Roast fowl to him thats sated will seem less
Upon the board than leaves of garden cress.
While, in the sight of helpless poverty,
Boiled turnip will a roasted pullet be.”
—Sa’Di (Musharrif Od-Din Muslih Od-Din) (c.1213–91) Persian Poet
Without our stories, we are not only able to act clearly and fearlessly, we are also a friend, a listener. We are people living happy lives. We are appreciation and gratitude that have become as natural as breath itself. Happiness is the natural state for someone who knows that there’s nothing to know and that we already have everything we need, right here now.
—Byron Katie (b.1942) American Speaker, Author
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
—Marcel Proust (1871–1922) French Novelist
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
Welcome everything that comes to you, but do not long for anything else.
—Andre Gide (1869–1951) French Novelist
A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.
—Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (1729–81) German Writer, Philosopher
When we cannot get what we love, we must love what is within our reach.
—French Proverb
To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach.
—Demosthenes (384–322 BCE) Greek Statesman, Orator
Why do some people always see beautiful skies and grass and lovely flowers and incredible human beings, while others are hard-pressed to find anything or any place that is beautiful?
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
Gratitude is one of those things that cannot be bought. It must be born with men, or else all the obligations in the world will not create it.
—E. F. L. Wood, 1st Earl of Halifax (1881–1959) British Politician, Political leader