Gratitude is the most pleasant of virtues, yet it is not the easiest.
It is a second pleasure that prolongs the first, like an echo of joy to the joy felt, like happiness for more happiness.
Gratitude has nothing to give except the pleasure of receiving. It is a gift, it is sharing, it is love.
Gratitude rejoices in what has happened, or in what exists, thus constituting the opposite of longing or nostalgia, as well as hope or anguish, which is desire or fear.
Justice and good faith can authorise a lack of gratitude, gratitude does not authorise a lack of justice or good faith.
Gratitude is the secret of friendship and ingratitude is not an inability to receive, but to reciprocate.
There is in gratitude humility and humility is difficult.