African Traditional Religions1. One upon whom We bestow kindness But will not express gratitude, Is worse than a robber Who carries away our belongings. 
~ Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)
2. O my Father, Great Elder,
I have no words to thank you, But with your deep wisdom I am sure that you can see How I value your glorious gifts.
~ Kikuya  Prayer (Kenya)
http://www.unification.net/ws/theme108.htmAfro  Athlican Constructive Church    3. BE THOU INDUSTRIOUS, THRIFTY AND FRUITFUL, O offsprings of Ethiopia, 
FOR BY NO OTHER  WAY CAN YE SHOW GRATITUDE TO THE LORD YOUR GOD, for the many blessings  he has bestowed upon earth free to all mankind.
~ 
The  Holy Piby, Chapter 3 
http://www.sacred-texts.com/afr/piby/piby08.htm
The Bahá’i Faith4. REAL THANKFULNESS IS A CORDIAL GIVING OF THANKS FROM THE  HEART. When man in response to the favors of God  manifests susceptibilities of conscience, the heart is happy, the spirit is  exhilarated. These spiritual susceptibilities are ideal thanksgiving.
~ 
Promulgation  of Universal Peace, Page 276 
5. TO EXPRESS HIS GRATITUDE FOR THE FAVORS OF GOD MAN MUST  SHOW FORTH PRAISEWORTHY ACTIONS. In response to  these bestowals he must render good deeds, be self-sacrificing, loving the  servants of God, forfeiting even life for them, showing kindness to all the  creatures. He must be severed from the world, attracted to the Kingdom of Abhá, the face radiant, the tongue  eloquent, the ear attentive, striving day and night to attain the good pleasure  of God. Whatsoever he wishes to do must be in harmony with the good pleasure of  God. He must observe and see what is the will of God and act accordingly. There  can be no doubt that such commendable deeds are thankfulness for the favors of  God. 
~ 
Promulgation  of Universal Peace, Page 276 
6. They should manifest gratitude and  thankfulness to God, and 
THE BEST WAY  TO THANK GOD IS TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.~ 
Promulgation  of Universal Peace, Page 469
Buddhism7. To be  respectful, humble, contented and grateful; and to listen to the Dhamma on due  occasions – this is the 
GREATEST BLESSING.
  ~ 
Tipitaka, Khuddaka, Maha-mangala Sutta: Blessings  
8. A PERSON OF INTEGRITY IS GRATEFUL AND THANKFUL. This gratitude, this thankfulness, is advocated by civil people. It  is entirely on the level of people of integrity.
  ~ 
Tipitaka,  Anguttara Nikaya, Kataññu
 Suttas: Gratitude 
9. Monks, these two people are hard to find  in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who  is grateful for a kindness done and feels obligated to repay it. These two  people are hard to find in the world.
  ~ 
Tipitaka, Anguttara Nikaya, Dullabha Sutta: Hard to Find 
10. Respect, humility, contentment,  gratitude, hearing the Dhamma on timely occasions: This is the 
HIGHEST PROTECTION. 
  ~ 
Tipitaka, Khuddaka, Maha-mangala Sutta: Protection 
11. When the mother and child are  at peace after birth, they should make offerings to the spirits to express  their gratitude for the protection given. If, instead of offering to the  spirits, friends and relatives are entertained by the killing of animals, both  the mother and the newly-born child will suffer punishment.
  ~ 
Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva SutraCao Đài12. Loving our parents is not enough. As  children, 
WE  MUST BE GRATEFUL TO OUR PARENTS AND FULFILL OUR FILIAL OBLIGATIONS. ~ 
The  Teachings, The Great and Small Vehicles
  Thương mến chưa đủ, nghĩa vụ làm con... phải tri ân cha mẹ, làm tròn chữ  hiếu ân.
Sách: Giáo Lý – Bài: Thượng Thừa Và Hạ Thừa
Confucianism13. The superior man, going back  to his ancient fathers, and returning to the authors of his being, does not  forget those to whom he owes his life, and therefore he calls forth all his  reverence, gives free vent to his feelings, and exhausts his strength in  discharging the above service; as a tribute of gratitude to his parents he  dares not but do his utmost.
~ 
Liji (The Classic of Rites), Ji Yi
Christianity14. Thanks be to God for his indescribable  gift!
~ 
Holy  Bible, 2 Corinthians 9:15
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+9&version=NIV15. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ  dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and  as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to  God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the  Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
~ 
Holy  Bible, Colossians 3:15-17
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+3&version=NIV16. DEVOTE YOURSELVES TO PRAYER, BEING WATCHFUL AND  THANKFUL.~ 
Holy  Bible, Colossians 4:2 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians+4&version=NIV17. Let us be thankful, and so worship God  acceptably with reverence and awe.
~ 
Holy  Bible, Hebrews 12:28 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+12&version=NIV18. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his  pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;  
GIVE THANKS TO HIM AND PRAISE HIS NAME.  For the Lord is good and his love endures  forever;  his faithfulness continues through all  generations.
~ 
Holy  Bible, Psalm 100:3-5 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+100&version=NIV19. GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
~ 
Holy  Bible, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Thessalonians+5&version=NIV The Essenes20. And forget not with  your prayers and supplications intercessions and giving of thanks, to offer the  incense, as it is written in the last of your prophets, saying, From the rising  of the sun unto the setting of the same incense shall be offered unto My Name  in all places with a pure oblation, for My Name shall be great among the  Gentiles.
~ 
Gospel of the Holy Twelve, Lection 93.9
21. For the 
HONEST WORK OF HUMBLE HANDS IS A DAILY PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING,And the music of the plough  Is a joyful song unto the Lord.
~ 
Essene Gospel of Peace22. Be not ungrateful to thy  Creator, for he hath given thee Life.
~ 
Essene Gospel of Peace23. To him who alone doeth great  wonders, To him that by wisdom made the  heavens, To him that stretched out the  earth above the waters, To him that made great lights in  the heavens,To him that made the sun to rule  by day,And the moon and stars to rule by  night,  
GIVE UNENDING PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING, For his mercy endureth for ever.
  ~ 
Essene Gospel of PeaceGnosticism24. Now your brother also has his grace: Do  not belittle yourself, but 
REJOICE AND GIVE THANKS SPIRITUALLY, and pray for  that one, in order that you might share the grace that dwells within him.
~ 
The Nag Hammadi Library, The Interpretation of  Knowledge
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/intpr.html25. He that gives thanks shall be Pious or  Religious, and he that is Religious shall know both where the truth is, and  what it is, and learning that, he will be yet more and more Religious.
~ 
Corpus  Hermeticum, The First Book
http://www.alchemywebsite.com/ch1.html Hinduism 26. Whoever with a heart full of gratefulness  and free from malice strives to do what is good, 
ATTAINS WEALTH, VIRTUE, HAPPINESS AND HEAVEN  (HEREAFTER).~ The  Mahabharata, Book 3, Section 208
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m03/m03208.htm27. Wisdom, good lineage, self-control,  acquaintance with the script-xures, prowess, absence of garrulity, gift to the  extent of one's power, and gratefulness – these eight qualities shed a luster  upon their possessor.
~ 
The  Mahabharata, Book 5, Section 35
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m05/m05035.htm28. That son of Dharma honors truth, and is  grateful and righteous, therefore will 
HIS VIRTUE AND GOOD SENSE AND THE STABILITY OF HIS POWER  ALWAYS ENDURE.
~ The  Mahabharata, Book 14, Section 15http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m14/m14015.htm29. Grateful (to those that serve him),  firmly devoted (to those that deserve his respect), and with passions under  control, he should give unto others their due.
~ The  Mahabharata, Book 12, Section 67
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/m12/m12a066.htm30. True to his promise, gentle, kind, Unenvious, of grateful mind,
  Versed in the law and firm of soul,  He keeps each sense with strict control.
~ Ramayana, Book 2, Canto 2
http://www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry080.htm Hòa Hảo Buddhism31. We were born  with a body to be active from our childhood to adulthood, with a given wisdom  and knowledge. Do we know how much our parents have suffered during all those  years? Our ancestors gave birth to our parents, therefore, 
WE MUST BE GRATEFUL TO OUR ANCESTORS AS WE ARE  TOWARDS OUR PARENTS. ~ 
The Complete Book of Prophecy to Expound  Poetry and Literature, The Fundamental Precepts
32. We come into  the world, thanks to our ancestors and our parents, but we owe our living to  our native land. While enjoying the land and its produce, we feel it is our  duty to defend our country, if we want our life to be happy and our race to  survive. Let us contribute to the safeguarding of our fatherland and to make it  strong and prosperous. Let us try our best and dedicate ourselves to our  country according to our ability and strength. In case we have no talent to  assume important responsibilities or there is no opportunity to help our  country, let us try to avoid wrongdoings that may harm the nation. That is how  we show our gratitude towards our country. 
~ 
The Complete Book of Prophecy to Expound  Poetry and Literature, The Fundamental Precepts
33. Ever since  our birth, we find ourselves depending on people around us, and as we grow up,  our dependency on them grows. We need their grains to live on, the clothes they  make to keep ourselves warm, and the houses they build as shelters against  weather adversities. We enjoy happiness and share misfortune with them. We are  of the same culture and tradition, history, and language. Together we form a nation.... 
WE MUST,  THEREFORE, DO OUR BEST TO HELP THEM AS TO SHOW THEM, IN SOME FORM, OUR  GRATITUDE FOR THE ASSISTANCE WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THEM. ~ 
The Complete Book of Prophecy to Expound  Poetry and Literature, The Fundamental Precepts
34. For the monks  who have taken refuge in Buddhism, they should...be directly thankful to contributors  who supply them with daily needs. They depend on them for their rice, clothes,  and medicine necessary for their existence. In brief, they are entirely  dependent on the kindness of people for their daily living. They are deeply  indebted to everyone. They should, therefore, guide humankind in the search for  Truth in order to show their gratitude to the favors received. 
~ 
The Complete Book of Prophecy to Expound  Poetry and Literature, The Fundamental Precepts 
International Society of Krishna Consciousness35. Lord Krsna is very kind to His  devotees. He is always very grateful and magnanimous, and He possesses all  abilities
~ 
Sri  Caitanya Caritamrta, Chapter 22, Text 95
http://vedabase.net/cc/madhya/22/95/en236. Whoever acquires the  brahminical qualifications--whose only wealth is good behavior, who is grateful  and who takes shelter of experienced persons – gets all the opulence of the  world.
~ 
Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 4, Text 44
Islam37. And whoever desires the reward of  this world – We will give him thereof; and whoever desires the reward of the  Hereafter – We will give him thereof. And 
WE WILL REWARD THE GRATEFUL.
~ 
Holy  Qur’an 3:145 
http://quran.com/338. Be grateful to Allah. And 
WHOEVER IS  GRATEFUL, HE IS ONLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS OWN SOUL.~ 
Holy Qur’an 31:12
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=DIV0&byte=63939839. We sent Moses with Our signs and the  command. "Bring out thy people from the depths of darkness into light, and  teach them to remember the Days of Allah." Verily in this there are Signs  for such as are firmly patient and constant – grateful and appreciative. 
~ 
Holy  Qur’an 14:5
http://www.ishwar.com/islam/holy_quran/sura014.html40. And remember! your Lord caused to be  declared publicly: "If ye are grateful, I will add more favors unto you.”
~ 
Holy  Qur’an 14:7
http://www.ishwar.com/islam/holy_quran/sura014.html41. Hast thou not seen  how the ships glide on the sea by Allah's grace, that He may show you of His  wonders? Lo! therein indeed are portents for every steadfast, grateful heart. ~ 
Holy  Qur’an 31:31
42. If it be His Will He can still the  Wind: then would they become motionless on the back of the ocean. Verily in  this are Signs for everyone who patiently perseveres and is grateful. 
~ 
Holy  Qur’an 42:33
http://www.ishwar.com/islam/holy_quran/sura042.html
Judaism43. I will extol thee, O the Lord, for Thou hast  raised me up, and hast not suffered mine enemies to rejoice over me. 
   O the Lord my God, I cried unto Thee, and  Thou didst heal me; 
O the Lord, Thou broughtest up my soul from  the nether-world; Thou didst kept me alive, that I should not go down to the  pit. 
Sing praise unto the  Lord, O ye His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. 
~ 
Holy  Ketuvim, Psalms 30:2-5
http://www.ishwar.com/judaism/holy_ketuvim/book01/book01_030.html44. Give thanks unto the Lord with harp, sing praises  unto Him with the psaltery of ten strings. 
~ 
Holy  Ketuvim, Psalms 33:2
http://www.ishwar.com/judaism/holy_ketuvim/book01/book01_033.html
Mormonism45. I say unto you, my brethren, that if  you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to  possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and  has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace  one with another.
~ 
The  Book of Mosiah, Chapter 2
http://lds.org/script-xures/bofm/print/mosiah/2?lang=eng46. And he commanded them that they should  observe the sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give  thanks to the Lord their God. 
~ 
The  Book of Mosiah, Chapter 18 
http://script-xures.lds.org/en/mosiah/1847. And they did admonish their brethren;  and they were also admonished, everyone by the word of God...
BEING COMMANDED OF  GOD TO PRAY WITHOUT CEASING, AND TO GIVE THANKS IN ALL THINGS. ~ 
The  Book of Mosiah, Chapter 26
http://script-xures.lds.org/en/mosiah/2648. Always returning thanks unto God for  whatsoever things ye do receive. 
~ 
The  Book of Alma, Chapter 7 
http://script-xures.lds.org/en/alma/7Native American Spirituality 39. For everything he sees he is thankful. 
HE THINKS OF THE  CREATOR AND THANKS HIM FOR THE THINGS HE SEES. Now he hears the  birds singing and he thanks the Great Ruler for their music. 
~ 
The  Code of Handsome Lake, the Seneca Prophet,  The Two Ways  He Thinks, Page 22
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/iro/parker/cohl008.htm50. The Creator has ordered that on certain  times and occasions there should be thanksgiving ceremonies. At such times all  must thank the Creator that they live. After that, let the chiefs thank him for  the ground and the things on the ground and then upward to the sky and the  heaven-world where he is. Let the children and old folk come and give thanks.
~ 
The  Code of Handsome Lake, the Seneca Prophet,  Section 31, Page 41
http://www.sacred-texts.com/nam/iro/parker/cohl042.htmSangha of Bhikkhu Buddhist Association 51. If we are truly a good person, we must see  clearly that the purpose of our existence is to learn. For our survival, since time  immemorial we owe a debt of gratitude to the vegetation, humans, God and Buddha,  the earth, water, fire, and wind. Thus we must try to repay them by attaining  Buddhahood to teach the Dharma and deliver many people according to their  wish.
~ 
Book of Truth, Householder Buddhists, Page  425
  Nếu là kẻ thật hiền,  thì phải thấy rõ mục đích sanh ra đời là để học, công ơn cơm áo của cỏ cây  thú người Trời Phật, đất, đất nước lửa gió, từ xưa nay phải rán lo đền trả bằng  cách thi đậu đắc quả làm Phật, thuyết pháp cứu độ đông người, theo lòng mong cầu  của họ.
Tôn giáo: Khất Sĩ // Sách: Chơn Lý // Bài: Cư Sĩ // Trang: 425 
Spiritualism/Spiritism52. Do not complain! On the contrary offer  thanks to God and lavish handfuls of sympathy, understanding and money on all  who, disinherited from worldly possessions, languish in suffering and  isolation. You will reap sweet happiness in the world, and later... Only God  knows!
  ~ 
The  Gospel According to Spiritismhttp://www.espirito.org.br/portal/download/pdf/en/the-gospel-according.pdf53. Instead of complaining, thank God for  the opportunity to triumph which He has given you, that He may bestow the prize  of victory upon you.
  ~ 
The  Gospel According to Spiritismhttp://www.espirito.org.br/portal/download/pdf/en/the-gospel-according.pdf54. My friends, give thanks to God for  having permitted you to enjoy the enlightenment of Spiritism. Not that those  who possess this enlightenment are the only ones who will be saved, but because  it helps you to understand the teachings of Christ, so making you into better  Christians.
~ 
The  Gospel According to Spiritismhttp://www.espirito.org.br/portal/download/pdf/en/the-gospel-according.pdf55. IT IS AN ACT OF GRATITUDE TO LIFT UP YOUR THOUGHTS TO  HIM WHEN SOMETHING HAPPY OCCURS, when you avoid an  accident, or even when some simple triviality grazes our soul.
~ 
The  Gospel According to Spiritismhttp://www.espirito.org.br/portal/download/pdf/en/the-gospel-according.pdf56. We teach you to feel pity for the  ungrateful, and for faithless friends; their unkindness will do more harm to  themselves than to you. Ingratitude comes of selfishness; and he who is selfish  will meet, sooner or later, with hearts as hard as his own has been.
~ 
The  Spirits' Book, Book 4, Chapter  1 
http://www.spiritwritings.com/kardecspiritsbook4chapt1.html#Happiness Sufism 57. And if some light should shine upon us and  we should be graced by a certain joy, we might give thanks a thousandfold to  God, saying, “How am I worthy of this?” 
~ 
Discourses  of Rumi, Discourse 20
58. GRATITUDE IS THE ANTIDOTE FOR ALL OCCASIONS, changing wrath into grace. The wise and complete servant is  grateful for harsh treatment, both publicly and in private, for with the voice  of gratitude comes the inspiration to give more.
~ 
Discourses  of Rumi, Discourse 48
59. WHEN THE MIND WANTS TO COMPLAIN, DO THE OPPOSITE – GIVE  THANKS. Exaggerate the matter to such a degree that  you find within yourself a love of what repels you. Pretending thankfulness is  a way of seeking the love of God. 
~ 
Discourses  of Rumi, Discourse 68
60. So by praising and 
GIVING THANKS TO DETRACTORS YOU ARE ADMINISTERING  AN ANTIDOTE TO THAT HATRED IN THEM, for while they have shown you  your deficiency, you have shown them your perfection. 
~ 
Discourse  of Rumi, Discourse 68 
Swedenborgianism 61. The worship of the  Lord from a grateful mind on account of the implantation of good, and thus on  account of complete liberation from damnation.
~ 
Arcana Coelestiahttp://newearth.org/frontier/arcana/ex23.htm62. Honoring your  father and your mother...includes honoring our parents, obeying them, being  devoted to them, and thanking them for the benefits they have given us.
~ 
True Christianityhttp://www.newcenturyedition.org/tc1.pdf63. Divine truth and Divine good and  glorification, which are signified by glory, honor, and thanksgiving, proceed  and flow in from the Lord.
~ 
Apocalypse Explainedhttp://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ae/ae06.htm64. ALL DIVINE WORSHIP THAT IS PERCEIVED AS GRATEFUL IS FROM  SPIRITUAL GOOD.~ 
Apocalypse Explained http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/ae/ae07.htm65. The joy of heaven and its eternal  happiness consist solely in the perpetual glorification of God, in a  never-ceasing festival of praise and thanksgiving, and in the blessedness of  divine worship.
~ 
Conjugial Lovehttp://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/cjl/cjl01.htm66. Concordant spheres are delightful and  grateful, whereas discordant spheres are undelightful and ungrateful. 
~ 
Conjugial Love http://www.sacred-texts.com/swd/cjl/cjl04.htm The Universal White Brotherhood 67. When we hold a piece of bread in our  hand, we must be filled with gratitude for the sacrifice which the bread makes. 
~ Food and Health
http://home.earthlink.net/~rila/sub/food.htm68. The most  important thing while eating is to eat with gratitude.
~ 
Health,  Food, Motion, Breathing http://www.beinsadouno.org/en/node/2095 Zoroastrianism 69. The law of Ohrmazd is friendship of  man; and the law of Vohuman is longing for paradise; and the law of Ardwahisht is  truth; and the law of Shahrewar is aid unto kinsmen; and the law of Spandarmad is  perfect devotion and humility; and 
THE LAW OF HORDAD IS LIBERALITY AND SINCERE GRATEFULNESS;  and the law of Amurdad is religious conference and moderation.
~ 
Denkard,  Book 6: Chapter 114
http://www.avesta.org/denkard/dk6s.htm#p11470. They considered this, too, thus namely, 
THE SOUL COULD  BE MUCH REDEEMED by four virtues. And these are as follows: By  gratefulness and peacefulness and deviation from vices and pious actions.
~ 
Denkard,  Book 6: Chapter 120
http://www.avesta.org/denkard/dk6s.htm#p12071. Be it known that, it is the duty of man  to be 
ALWAYS  GRATEFUL IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, especially towards the following  four: (1) Towards Ohrmazd, principally for His having created him. (2) Towards  the sovereign, chiefly for his having given him protection in this world. (3)  Towards the parents, especially for their having brought him up with care. (4)  Towards the moral teacher, chiefly for his instruction that enables him to recognize  these four kinds of obligations.
~ 
Denkard,  Book 3: Chapter 257
http://www.avesta.org/denkard/dk3s247.html72. TRUTH, CHARITY, GRATEFULNESS, CONTENTMENT, AND ENERGETIC  EFFORT ARE THE QUALITIES WHICH GIVE FREEDOM AND SALVATION TO THE SOUL and make it revered and honored in both the worlds. 
~ 
Denkard,  Book 3: Chapter 363
http://www.avesta.org/denkard/dk3s362.html