55 Gratitude Quotes That Bring Meaning to the Everyday
Updated: Feb. 21, 2023
These great thinkers offer a few gratitude quotes to remind you that giving thanks comes in all shapes and sizes
Sometimes we all need a little reminder to appreciate the good things in our lives. Life is short, and we should try to express our gratitude all the time, no matter how big or how small. Merriam-Webster defines gratitude as “The state of being grateful; thankfulness.” It means you’re appreciative of who you are, what you have and who is in your life. Those looking for ways to be happier can practice gratitude to spark meaningful moments of joy within their lives. Need somewhere to start? These gratitude quotes will inspire you to express thanks in ways you may not have thought of.
There are inspirational quotes, thankful quotes and positive affirmations scattered throughout that you can tell yourself daily in order to embody a more grateful way of being. I’ll start: Thank you for reading these quotes on gratitude!
“At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.” —Albert Schweitzer
Maybe these self-love quotes all started with thanking another person for helping us get there.
“The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” —William James
You can even make a joke about it and send these thank-you memes to the people you love most.
“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
Maybe start by seeing what each state should be most thankful for so you can appreciate where you are.
“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
Share this quote about gratitude with the community you’re thankful for.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
This will take time, so if you need some positive words to embrace this new way of thinking, read up on these quotes about change.
“Being thankful is not always experienced as a natural state of existence, we must work at it, akin to a type of strength training for the heart.” —Larissa Gomez
What a beautiful inner strength quote to help you find that gratitude.
“Opening your eyes to more of the world around you can deeply enhance your gratitude practice.” —Derrick Carpenter
Start small and try writing a thank-you note to someone who has helped you see the world differently.
“Got no checkbooks, got no banks, still I’d like to express my thanks. I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.” —Irving Berlin
Amen! Let’s slow-clap for this “be yourself” quote.
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” —Oprah Winfrey
Need somewhere to start? Write down what you’re grateful for in a gratitude journal.
“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.” —Roy T. Bennett
If you need help mapping out your ambitions, try creating a goal-setting vision board for guidance.
“As with all commandments, gratitude is a description of a successful mode of living. The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us.” —James E. Faust
Don’t forget to send a thank-you message or a thank-you quote to someone who really went above and beyond for you.
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault
This is a powerful mindset quote everyone should read at least once.
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” —Epictetus
“When eating fruit, remember the one who planted the tree.” —Vietnamese Proverb
How beautiful is this spiritual quote?
“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” —Rabbi Harold Kushner
Talk about a powerful thank-you quote! If you’re looking for something more humorous, check out these funny thank-you memes.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” —William Arthur Ward
Speaking of presents—bookmark these thank-you gifts that truly show your appreciation.
“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” —Meister Eckhart
“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” —Robert Braathe
“Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” —Charles Dickens
This can boost your mood and help you maintain a positive attitude.
“Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.” —Karl Barth
“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
This grateful quote is perfect to share around Thanksgiving.
“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” —Cynthia Ozick
“Make it a habit to tell people, ‘thank you.’ To express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.” —Ralph Marston
If you’re looking to track your habits (like telling people thank you), these habit trackers will help you implement change.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
We love a gratitude quote that doubles as a kindness quote!
“Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.” —Edwin Arlington Robinson
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” —Voltaire
“I looked around and thought about my life. I felt grateful. I noticed every detail. That is the key to time travel. You can only move if you are actually in the moment. You have to be where you are to get where you need to go.” —Amy Poehler
“We can always find something to be thankful for, and there may be reasons why we ought to be thankful for even those dispensations which appear dark and frowning.” —Albert Barnes
If you feel a frown coming on, browse some smile quotes to turn it upside down.
“The world has enough beautiful mountains and meadows, spectacular skies and serene lakes. It has enough lush forests, flowered fields and sandy beaches. It has plenty of stars and the promise of a new sunrise and sunset every day. What the world needs more of is people to appreciate and enjoy it.” —Michael Josephson
“For my part, I am almost contented just now, and very thankful. Gratitude is a divine emotion: It fills the heart, but not to bursting; it warms it, but not to fever.” —Charlotte Bronte
“When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” —Tecumseh
This is one of those gratitude quotes that holds you accountable, but also inspires you to be happier at home.
“No duty is more urgent than giving thanks.” —James Allen
“Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.” —Brian Tracy
“Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.” —Albert Schweitzer
“This is a wonderful day. I have never seen this one before.” —Maya Angelou
This grateful quote is just one of the many inspirational Maya Angelou quotes out there.
“When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.” —Kristin Armstrong
Reading these gratitude quotes really makes you think about gratitude’s impact on not just the soul, but the body as well. Did you know there are health benefits of practicing gratitude?
“It’s a funny thing about life: Once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.” —Germany Kent
Don’t forget to try new things in life—you’ll find more to be thankful for!
“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” —Epicurus
“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
“One can never pay in gratitude; one can only pay ‘in kind’ somewhere else in life.” —Anne Morrow Lindbergh
“Gratitude, like faith, is a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it grows.” —Alan Cohen
“Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow.” —Melody Beattie
“Wear gratitude like a cloak and it will feed every corner of your life.” —Rumi
This is one of those gratitude quotes that also gives you hope.
“The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.” —Friedrich Nietzsche
“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” —Tony Robbins
“There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.” —Ralph Blum
“Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.” —Aesop
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness—it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” —Brené Brown
Who doesn’t love a good Brené Brown quote that puts things into perspective?
“Thanks are the highest form of thought.” —Gilbert K. Chesterton
“Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” —Doris Day
If you’re liking these gratitude quotes, you’ll also like these truth quotes.
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy.” —Marcel Proust
This also makes a great friendship quote.
“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.” —Lionel Hampton
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” —Willie Nelson
“A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.” —Plato
Now that you’ve read these gratitude quotes, it’s time to remember that finding that gratitude will take patience. These patience quotes will inspire your peaceful persistence.
Additional reporting by Kelly Kuehn.
Source:
- Merriam-Webster: “Gratitude”
