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

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

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

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

Let but the commons hear this testament,
Which (pardon me) I do not mean to read,
And read more

Let but the commons hear this testament,
Which (pardon me) I do not mean to read,
And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds
And dip their napkins in his sacred blood;
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And dying, mention it within their wills,
Bequeathing it as a rich legacy
Upon their issue.

That possession which we gain by the sword is not lasting;
gratitude for benefits eternal.
[Lat., Non est read more

That possession which we gain by the sword is not lasting;
gratitude for benefits eternal.
[Lat., Non est diuturna possessio in quam gladio ducimus;
beneficiorum gratia sempiterna est.]

If hush'd the loud whirlwind that ruffled the deep,
The sky if no longer dark tempests deform;
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If hush'd the loud whirlwind that ruffled the deep,
The sky if no longer dark tempests deform;
When our perils are past shall our gratitude sleep?
No! Here's to the pilot that weather'd the storm!

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.

The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving
greater benefits.

The gratitude of most men is but a secret desire of receiving
greater benefits.

Now the good gods forbid
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enrolled
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Now the good gods forbid
That our renowned Rome, whose gratitude
Towards her deserved children is enrolled
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now eat up her own!

Because gratification of a desire leads to the temporary stilling of the mind and the experience of the peaceful, joyful read more

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.".