“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Book of Psalms, c. 500 BC · Hebrew songbook
Chapter 6
On Gratitude
“In every thing give thanks.”
Paul of Tarsus, c. 51 AD · apostle writing to the church at Thessalonica
“If ye give thanks I will surely give you increase.”
The Qur'an, c. 630 AD · Surah Ibrahim, revealed at Mecca
“This one virtue is not only the greatest, but is also the parent of all the other virtues.”
Cicero, c. 54 BC · Roman orator, speaking of gratitude in court
“He who receives a benefit with gratitude repays the first instalment on his debt.”
Seneca the Younger, c. 60 AD · Roman Stoic writing on giving and receiving
“When thou wishest to delight thyself, think of the virtues of those who live with thee.”
Marcus Aurelius, c. 175 AD · Roman emperor and Stoic
“Every breath that goes in prolongs life, and when it comes out it gladdens the soul. In every breath are two blessings, and for every blessing gratitude is due.”
Sa'di of Shiraz, 1258 · Persian poet
“There is no calamity greater than to be discontented with one's lot; no fault greater than the wish to be getting.”
Lao Tzu, c. 400 BC · Chinese sage of the Tao Te Ching
“Blow, blow, thou winter wind, thou art not so unkind as man's ingratitude.”
William Shakespeare, 1599 · English playwright, in the song of Amiens
People asked to list a few things they were grateful for each week reported better mood, fewer physical complaints, and more exercise than those who listed hassles.
Robert Emmons and Michael McCullough, 2003 · psychologists who ran the first gratitude journal trials
Writing a letter of thanks to someone never properly thanked, then delivering it in person, raised happiness and lowered depressive symptoms for a full month.
Martin Seligman and colleagues, 2005 · psychologists who tested the gratitude visit
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