Civilization is first of all a moral thing. Without truth, respect for duty, love of neighbor, and virtue, everything is destroyed. The morality of a society is alone the basis of civilization.
Henri Frederic AmielRead
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Thankfulness starts the journey of recognizing what we have, while gratitude completes it through actions.
This quote emphasizes the distinction between thankfulness as a passive recognition of blessings and gratitude, which is an active expression through our actions. Thankfulness is the initial acknowledgment of good things in our lives, but gratitude signifies a deeper commitment to expressing appreciation, showing that true appreciation is demonstrated through meaningful acts.
Themes
ThankfulnessGratitudeAppreciationActionsVirtue
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared during a gratitude gathering to highlight the importance of expressing appreciation through actions.
More from Henri Frederic Amiel
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True love is that which ennobles the personality, fortifies the heart, and sanctifies the existence.
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It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.
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Similar quotes
I acknowledge my feeling and gratitude for life by praising the world and whoever made all these things.
Mary OliverRead
When you let me take I'm grateful. When you let me give I'm blessed.
Leonard NimoyRead
There is no closer bond than the one that gratefulness celebrates, the bond between giver and thanksgiver. Everything is a gift. Grateful living is a celebration of the universal give-and-take of life, a limitless yes to belonging. Can our world survive without gratefulness? Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: to say an unconditional yes to the mutual belonging of all beings will make this a more joyful world. This is the reason why Yes is my favorite synonym for God.
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I want to thank God, obviously for the health, for the talent He's given me, for my family who supports me, for the things that basketball's taught me on and off the court. For the people that I've been able to meet through the game of basketball.
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Let us thank God for life and the blessings He's put before us. High among them are our families, our freedom, and the opportunities of a new year.
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