Great English Quotes and Aphorisms on gratitude 1 by famous writers

An aphorism is nothing else but the slightest
form of writing raised to the highest level of expressive communication. Carl William Brown

60,000 QUOTES SPIDER

QUOTES AND APHORISMS ON GRATITUDE 1

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

Aesop (620-560 BC, Greek fabulist)

Nothing more detestable does the earth produce than an ungrateful man.

Decimus Magnus Ausonius (310-395, Latin poet, man of letters)

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

Melody Beattie (American author)

Gratitude is a humble emotion. It expresses itself... not for the gifts of this day only, but for the day itself; not for what we believe will be ours in the future, but for the bounty of the past

Faith Baldwin

He is not rich that possesses much, but he that covets no more; and he is not poor that enjoys little, but he that wants too much.

Francis Beaumont (1584-1616, British dramatist)

A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887, American preacher, orator, writer)

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887, American preacher, orator, writer)

Next to ingratitude the most painful thing to bear is gratitude.

Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887, American preacher, orator, writer)

Grant us brotherhood, not only for this day but for all our years -- a brotherhood not of words but of acts and deeds.

Stephen Vincent Benet (1989-1943, American novelist, poet)

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed a virtue.

William John Bennett (1943-, American federal official)

Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart -- a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water -- I accept with joy.

Bhagavad Gita (c. BC 400-, Sanskrit poem incorporated into the Mahabharata)

You never know what is enough unless you know what is more than enough.

William Blake (1757-1827, British poet, painter)

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.

Ralph H. Blum (American author)

Be glad today. Tomorrow may bring tears. Be brave today. The darkest night will pass. And golden rays will usher in the dawn.

Sarah Knowles Bolton

Because gratification of a desire leads to the temporary stilling of the mind and the experience of the peaceful, joyful self, it's no wonder that we get hooked on thinking that happiness comes from the satisfaction of desires. This is the meaning of the old adage, 'Joy is not in things; it is in us.'

Joan Borysenko (American clinical psychologist, author)

Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to count the times, but to gain the prayer. We cannot quit praying because heart and soul are in it. We pray "with all perseverance." We hang to our prayers because by them we live. We press our pleas because we must have them, or die.

E.M. Bounds

It is only when the whole heart is gripped with the passion of prayer that the life-giving fire descends, for none but the earnest man gets access to the ear of God.

E.M. Bounds

There is neither encouragement nor room in Bible religion for feeble desires, listless efforts, lazy attitudes; all must be strenuous, urgent, ardent. Flamed desires, impassioned, unwearied insistence delight heaven. God would have His children incorrigibly in earnest and persistently bold in their efforts. Heaven is too busy to listen to half-hearted prayers or to respond to pop-calls. Our whole being must be in our praying.

E.M. Bounds

To say prayers in a decent, delicate way is not heavy work. But to pray really, to pray till hell feels the ponderous stroke, to pray till the iron gates of difficulty are opened, till the mountains of obstacles are removed, till the mists are exhaled and the clouds are lifted, and the sunshine of a cloudless day brightens -- this is hard work, but it is God's work, and man's best labor.

E.M. Bounds

Grace is available for each of us every day -- our spiritual daily bread -- but we've got to remember to ask for it with a grateful heart and not worry about whether there will be enough for tomorrow.

Sarah Ban Breathnach (American author)

Let's choose today to quench our thirst for the "good life" we thinks others lead by acknowledging the good that already exists in our lives. We can then offer the universe the gift of our grateful hearts.

Sarah Ban Breathnach (American author)

Whatever we are waiting for -- peace of mind, contentment, grace, the inner awareness of simple abundance -- it will surely come to us, but only when we are ready to receive it with an open and grateful heart.

Sarah Ban Breathnach (American author)

Cold prayers shall never have any warm answers.

Thomas B. Brooks

Look, as a painted man is no man, and as painted fire is no fire, so a cold prayer is no prayer.

Thomas B. Brooks

If you want an accounting of your worth, count your friends.

Merry Browne

This race is never grateful: from the first, One fills their cup at supper with pure wine, Which back they give at cross-time on a sponge, In bitter vinegar.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861, British poet)

Gratitude to benefactors is a well-recognized virtue, and to express it in some form or other, however imperfectly, is a duty to ourselves as well as to those who have helped us.

Frederick Douglass (c.1817-1895, American abolitionist, journalist)

Gratitude helps you to grow and expand; gratitude brings you and laughter into your life and into the lives of all those around you.

Eileen Caddy (American spiritual writer)

Remember that not to be happy is not to be grateful.

Elizabeth Carter

Leave off wishing to deserve any thanks from anyone, thinking that anyone can ever become grateful.

Galius Valerius Catullus (BC 87-54, Roman lyric poet)

He who receives a good turn should never forget it; he who does one should never remember it. He who receives a benefit should never forget it; he who bestows it should never remember it.

Pierre Cbarron

Non-cooks think it's silly to invest two hours' work in two minutes' enjoyment; but if cooking is evanescent, so is the ballet.

Julia Child (1912-2004, American gourmet cook, author, and television personality)

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.

Northrup Christiane (American medical doctor)

There is no quality I would rather have, and be thought to have, than gratitude. For it is not only the greatest virtue, but is the mother of all the rest.

Marcus T. Cicero (c. 106-43 BC, Roman orator, politician)

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

All good things of this world are no further good than as they are of use; and whatever we may heap up to give others, we enjoy only as much as we can make useful to ourselves and others, and no more.

Daniel Defoe (1661-1731, British author)

To remind a man of the good turns you have done him is very much like a reproach.

Demosthenes (c.383-322 BC, Greek orator)

Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

Charles Dickens (1812-1870, British novelist)

Glee! The great storm is over!

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886, American poet)

Deficiency motivation doesn't work. It will lead to a lifelong pursuit of try to fix me. Learn to appreciate what you have and where and who you are.

Wayne Dyer (1940-, American psychotherapist, author, lecturer)

Author's website: www.waynedyer.com

Gratitude is a twofold love -- love coming to visit us, and love running out to greet a welcome guest.

Henry Van Dyke (1852--1933, American protestant clergyman and writer)

Just because you like my stuff doesn't mean I owe you anything.

Bob Dylan (1941-, American musician, singer, songwriter)

If the only prayer you say in your whole life is "Thank you," that would suffice.

Meister Eckhart (1260-1326, German mystic)

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882, American poet, essayist)

Sufficiency's enough for men of sense.

Euripides (BC 480-406, Greek tragic poet)

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.

Epicurus (c.341-270 BC, Greek philosopher)

Maybe the only thing worse than having to give gratitude constantly is having to accept it.

William Faulkner (1897-1962, American novelist)

Gratitude is one of the least articulate of the emotions, especially when it is deep.

Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965, Austrian-born American law teacher, judge)

Most people return small favors, acknowledge medium ones and repay greater ones -- with ingratitude.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790, American scientist, publisher, diplomat)

When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it.

Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790, American scientist, publisher, diplomat)

Eaten bread is soon forgotten.

Thomas Fuller (1608-1661, British clergyman, author)

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

Johannes A. Gaertner

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

Edward Gibbon (1737-1794, British historian)

That's the trouble with directors. Always biting the hand that lays the golden egg.

Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974, American film producer, founder of MGM)

That's the trouble with directors. Always biting the hand that lays the golden egg.

Samuel Goldwyn (1882-1974, American film producer, founder of MGM)

Every dog has its day, but it's not every dog that knows when he's having it.

Winifred Gordon

Hope has a good memory, gratitude a bad one.

Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658, Spanish philosopher, writer)

For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude.

Clarence E. Hodges

Of all the people in the world, those who want the most are those who have the most.

David Grayson (1870-1946, American journalist and writer)

After my mother's death, I began to see her as she had really been.... It was less like losing someone than discovering someone.

Nancy Hale

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.

Edward F. Halifax (1881-1959, British conservative statesman)

It is not only blessed to give thanks; it is also of vital importance to our prayer life in general. If we have noted the Lord's answers to our prayers and thanked Him for what we have received of Him, then it becomes easier for us, and we get more courage, to pray for more.

0. Hallesby

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.

0. Hallesby

When we succeed in truly thanking God, we feel good at heart. The reason is that we have been created to give glory to God, now and forever more. And every time we do so, we feel that we are in harmony with His plans and purposes for our lives. Then we are truly in our element. That is why it is so blessed.

0. Hallesby

How few are our real wants, and how easy is it to satisfy them! Our imaginary ones are boundless and insatiable.

Julius Charles Hare

The public have neither shame or gratitude.

William Hazlitt (1778-1830, British essayist)

The past with its pleasures, its rewards, its foolishness, its punishments, is there for each of us forever, and it should be.

Lillian Hellman (1905-1984, American playwright)

True thanksgiving means that we need to thank God for what He has done for us, and not to tell Him what we have done for Him.

George R. Hendrick

Thou who has given so much to me, give one thing more: a grateful heart.

George Herbert (1593-1632, British metaphysical poet)

Who covets more is evermore a slave.

Robert Herrick (1591-1674, British poet)

Enough is as good as a feast.

John Heywood (1497-1580, British dramatist, proverb collection)

There is satiety in all things, in sleep, and love-making, in the loveliness of singing and the innocent dance.

Homer (c. 850 -? BC, Greek epic poet)

Let him who has enough wish for nothing more.

Horace (BC 65-8, Italian poet)

To stand on one leg and prove God's existence is a very different thing from going down on one's knees and thanking him.

Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855, Danish philosopher, writer)

Every professional athlete owes a debt of gratitude to the fans and management, and pays an installment every time he plays. He should never miss a payment.

Bobby Hull (1939-, American hockey player)

The average man is rich enough when he has a little more than he has got.

Dean William R. Inge (1860-1954, Dean of St. Paul's, London)

There must be fired affections before our prayers will go up.

William Jenkyn

A harbor, even if it is a little harbor, is a good thing.... It takes something from the world, and has something to give in return.

Sarah Orne Jewett (1849-1909, American author)

Bounty always receives part of its value from the manner in which it is bestowed.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784, British author)

There are minds so impatient of inferiority that their gratitude is a species of revenge, and they return benefits, not because recompense is a pleasure, but because obligation is a pain.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784, British author)

So much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied.

Helen Keller (1880-1968, American blind/deaf author, lecturer, amorist)

I've had an exciting life; I married for love and got a little money along with it.

Rose F. Kennedy

Gratitude is a useless word. You will find it in a dictionary but not in life.