Proverbs of Gratitude
From ancient times and in every language, culture, and community, people have distilled profound wisdom into forms that are concise, portable, and memorable. One popular form of neatly encapsulated wisdom is known as the proverb. A proverb—which is also called an adage, maxim, or epigram—is potent; in a single, pithy statement, it conveys a universal truth or a valuable piece of advice. Proverbs articulate principles that are passed from one generation to the next—principles about how to live with meaning and purpose, how to cope with any sort of situation a person might encounter in life.
In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday is an occasion for remembering and celebrating gratitude. On the Siddha Yoga path, Gurumayi Chidvilasananda has established the entire month of November as a time dedicated to gratitude, as well as reflection. Throughout the month, enjoy and reflect on this banquet of proverbs from around the world on the topic of gratitude.
میان به شکر چو بستیم بند ما بگشاد
Gratitude and thanks to God, the liberator
When we took up gratitude, our bonds were released.
Rumi, Persian poet and Sufi mystic (1207–1273)
G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) United Kingdom
Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude.
A.A. Milne, writer (1882 – 1956) United Kingdom
Wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving.
Gibran Khalil Gibran, writer and poet (1883 – 1931) Lebanon – United States
Even a hen, after it drinks water, raises its head to the skies to thank God.
Greek proverb
La gratitud es la forma más sutil de plegaria.
Gratitude is the most subtle form of prayer.
Spanish proverb
Some people always grumble because roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.
Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, novelist and journalist (1808-1890) France
Maya Angelou, writer and poet (1928-2014) United States
George Herbert, metaphysical poet and priest of the Church of England (1593-1633) England
Gratitude is the soul of religion, of filial love, of love for those who love us, of love for human society, from which we receive so much protection and so much sweetness.
Silvio Pellico, writer and poet (1789-1854) Italy
Giving thanks for grievance, wise men negotiate.
Mexican proverb
Gratitude rejoices in what it owes, when self-esteem would rather forget.
André Compte-Sponville, philosopher France
Gratitude for blessings multiplies your blessings.
Iranian proverb
Margaret Cousins, educational theorist (1878–1954) Ireland
In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran pastor and theologian (1906–1945) Germany
Aesop, writer and storyteller (620—564 BCE) Greece
Henri J. M. Nouwen, Catholic priest (1932–1996) The Netherlands
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (1948–2020) United Kingdom
Gratitude blooms in tender hearts.
French proverb
Ralph Waldo Emerson, essayist and poet (1803–1882) United States of America
Epictetus, Stoic philosopher (5–135) Greece
Voltaire, French Enlightenment writer (1694–1778) France
Joy is the simplest form of gratitude.
German proverb
Count your blessings.
Dutch proverb
Gratitude, like certain flowers, does not grow in high altitudes but flourishes in the good earth of the humble.
José Martí, poet (1853–1895) Cuba
When gratitude is so absolute, words are not needed.
Álvaro Mutis, writer and poet (1923–2013) Columbia
Côte d’Ivoire proverb
For the slightest help, be grateful.
Romanian proverb
Thornton Wilder (1897–1975) United States
Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
Spanish proverb
G. K. Chesterton (1874-1936) United Kingdom
Yiddish Proverb
Rumi, Persian poet and Sufi mystic (1207-1273)
Constant remembrance in your own heart of the good someone has done to you—know that this itself is gratitude.
Marathi proverb India
If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.
Meister Eckhart Germany
ஞாலத்தின் மாணப் பெரிது.
The timely help received in our lives, although small, is much bigger than the entire world.
Tamil Proverb India
Gratitude is the secret of life. The important thing is to give thanks for everything. Whoever has learned this knows what it means to live. He has penetrated the profound mystery of life.
Albert Schweitzer France
அன்றே மறப்பது நன்று.
It is not good to forget the good things which others have done for us, whereas it is very good to forget on the same day the not-so-good things which others could have done to us.
Tamil Proverb India
Brother David Steindl-Rast United States of America
For a drop of grace, be a stream of spring water in exchange.
The boat that took you across the river, don’t call it useless.
Asante tupu haijai chungu.
An empty “thank you” does not fill the pot.
Heshima ya kiungwana, hujua atendewayo.
It is the honor of the noble person to know what is done for them.
Ahsante ya punda ni teke.
The way a donkey expresses gratitude is by giving a kick.
Roho uwe na usawa na kushukuru vipawa.
Let the soul be well-balanced and grateful for God’s gifts.
Swahili Proverbs
In gratitude lies great force.
Austria
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
Jean Massieu, a pioneer in deaf education (1772-1846) France
U.S. President John F. Kennedy United States of America
Nigeria
Gratitude is the main part of a benevolent man.
Francisco de Quevedo (1580-1645) Spain
Gratitude is the purest expression of love!
Brazil
Grateful people are like fertile fields, they give back what they receive tenfold.
August von Kotzebue Germany
Gratitude is not only the main virtue, but also the mother of all the others.
Cicerone Italy
Gratitude is more a state of being than an expression in words.
Rainer Maria Rilke Austria
الرسول محمد صلى الله عليه و سلم
He who has not thanked people has not thanked God.
Prophet Mohammed
In every exalted joy, there mingles a sense of gratitude.
Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach Germany
William Shakespeare United Kingdom
Gratitude and wheat grow only in a good soil.
Slovak Proverb Slovakia
Gratitude accepts everything as a gift; everything we have, everything we use, everything that makes us happy, is a gift, a manifestation of love.
Sergei Khudiev Russia
Gratitude towards those who have been benevolent to you is a merit, a great virtue.
Somdej Phra Nyanasanvara Thailand
tsini ioiá:nere naho’tèn:hson tehtshionkwá:wi
tánon thanónhtens ne akwé:kon skén:nen akénhake.
We return thanks to the Great Spirit, in whom is embodied all goodness and who directs all things for the good of his children.
Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address Mohawk language, Haudenosaunee Native American Confederacy
Let us be grateful to people who make us happy—they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.
Marcel Proust France
là qí shí zhě sī qí shù yǐn qí liú zhě huái qí yuan
When eating a fruit, remember the tree that bore the fruit; when drinking water, remember the source that provided the water.
Mandarin Proverb China
Henry Ward Beecher United States of America
Gratitude and love are siblings.
Christian Morgenstern Germany