Wisdom from the Major World Relgions

On the theme of: GRATITUDE

Baha’i

A thankful person is thankful under all circumstances. A complaining soul complains even in paradise.
– Baha'u'llah

Buddhism

The unworthy man is ungrateful, forgetful of benefits [done to him].  This ingratitude, this forgetfulness is congenial to mean people...  But the worthy person is grateful and mindful of benefits done to him.  This gratitude, this mindfulness, is congenial to the best people.
Anguttara Nikaya i.61

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.”
Buddha

Christianity

God created foods to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving; for then it is
consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
1 Timothy 4.3-5

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing.
In everything give thanks:
for this is the will of God.
 I. Thessalonians 5.16-18

Confucianism

With coarse rice to eat, with water to drink, and my bended arm for a pillow - I have still joy in the midst of these things.
Confucius, The Confucian Analects

Hinduism

Whatever I am offered in devotion with a pure heart -- a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water -- I accept with joy.  
Bhagavad Gita

Islam

O you who believe!  Eat of the good things that We have provided for you,
and be grateful to God, if it is Him that you worship.
Qur'an 2.172

Jainism

He who washes away the fifth of ambitions and greed with the water of the feeling of equanimity and contentment, does not run after worldly enjoyments attains the unblemished virtue of supreme purity.
Ten Universal Virtues ~ Munishri Ram Kumar Nandi

Judaism

Be not like those who honor their gods in prosperity and curse them in adversity.  In pleasure or pain, give thanks!
Midrash, Mekilta to Exodus 20.20

Whenever feeling downcast, each person should vitally remember, "For my sake, the entire world was created."
– Rabbi Yisroel ben Eliezer, Baal Shem Tov,founder of Hasidic Judaism

Native African

Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot.
Hausa proverb from Nigeria

Native American

If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
 Minquass

The happy heart gives away the best. To know how to receive is also a most important gift, which cultivates generosity in others and keeps strong the cycle of life.
– Venerable Dhyani Ywahoo, speaker, author, musician and spiritual leader in the Eastern Tsalagi (Cherokee) tradition

New Thought

We increase whatever we praise. The whole creation responds to praise, and is glad.
Charles Fillmore

"The enlightened give thanks for what most people take for granted ...... As you begin to be grateful for what most people take for granted, that vibration of gratitude makes you more receptive to good in your life" –
 Michael Beckwith

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.
William James

Sikhism

Those who remember the Lord with every breath, each morsel,
And in whose mind ever abides the spell of the Lord's Name--
Says Nanak, are blessed, perfect devotees.
Adi Granth, Var Gauri, M.5, p. 319

Be content with eating bare dry bread and drinking cold water; Do not feel perturbed while seeing the buttered bread of others.
Faridji, Shalokas

Taoism

He who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.
Lao Tzu

Zoroastrianism

A reflective, contented mind is the best possession.
Sourced, The Gathas
Ushtavaiti Gatha; Yasna 43, 15.