Quotes

Thanksgiving Quotes About Gratitude

These Thanksgiving quotes come from real, documented sources, including Abraham Lincoln's 1863 proclamation, George Washington's 1789 proclamation and well-known writers on gratitude.

We left out the many popular quotes that can't be traced to the person they're credited to. You'll find historic lines, literary quotes, modern voices on gratitude (with one joke from Erma Bombeck) and Bible verses often read at the Thanksgiving table.

Historic Thanksgiving quotesLiterary quotes about gratitudeModern quotes on thankfulnessBible verses for Thanksgiving

Historic Thanksgiving quotes

  1. "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies." Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving Proclamation, October 3, 1863
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  2. "It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People." Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1863
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  3. "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor." George Washington, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1789
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  4. "And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty." Edward Winslow, letter of December 1621 describing the harvest celebration at Plymouth
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  5. "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." John F. Kennedy, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1963
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  6. "Over the river, and through the wood, to Grandfather's house we go." Lydia Maria Child, "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day," 1844
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  7. "I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States ... to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." Abraham Lincoln, Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1863
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Literary quotes about gratitude

  1. "Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some." Charles Dickens, Sketches by Boz
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  2. "O Lord, that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!" William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 2
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  3. "We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." Thornton Wilder, The Woman of Andros
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  4. "There is one day that is ours. There is one day when all we Americans who are not self-made go back to the old home." O. Henry, "Two Thanksgiving Day Gentlemen"
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  5. "I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual." Henry David Thoreau, in a letter to H. G. O. Blake
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  6. "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others." Cicero, Pro Plancio
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  7. "He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has." Epictetus
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  8. "Thou that hast giv'n so much to me, give one thing more, a gratefull heart." George Herbert, "Gratefulness," 1633
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  9. "You say grace before meals. All right. But I say grace before the concert and the opera, and grace before the play and pantomime, and grace before I open a book." G. K. Chesterton, from his notebooks
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Modern quotes on thankfulness

  1. "Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more." Melody Beattie
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  2. "At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us." Albert Schweitzer
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  3. "Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough." Oprah Winfrey
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  4. "Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare. They are consumed in twelve minutes. Half-times take twelve minutes. This is not coincidence." Erma Bombeck
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Bible verses for Thanksgiving

  1. "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever." Psalm 107:1 (KJV)
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  2. "Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4 (KJV)
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  3. "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV)
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  4. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." James 1:17 (KJV)
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  5. "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful." Colossians 3:15 (KJV)
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Read Lincoln's opening line aloud before dinner as a toast, or print a quote on place cards for each guest. When sharing a quote online, include the source as shown here; it shows care and stops misattributed quotes from spreading.

Frequently asked questions

What did Abraham Lincoln say about Thanksgiving?

His October 3, 1863 proclamation opens: "The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies." It set the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

What is a famous Thanksgiving quote?

Lincoln's 1863 proclamation line about "fruitful fields and healthful skies" is one of the best known. Cicero's "Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others" is also widely quoted.

Who wrote 'Over the river and through the wood'?

Lydia Maria Child wrote it as a poem in 1844, titled "The New-England Boy's Song about Thanksgiving Day." The original says Grandfather's house, not Grandmother's.

What is a short Bible verse for Thanksgiving?

"In every thing give thanks" from 1 Thessalonians 5:18 is short and widely used. Psalm 107:1 is another favorite for cards and table blessings.

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