Gratitude

"In many ways, gratitude is the most important of all the good character traits. 

It is the most indispensable trait to both happiness and goodness. 

One can neither be a happy person nor a good person without gratitude. 

The less gratitude one has, the more one sees oneself as a victim; and nothing is more likely to produce a bad person or a bad group than defining oneself or one’s group as a victim. 

Victims, having been hurt, too often believe they have a license to hurt others. 

As for happiness, if you think of all the people you know, you will not be able to name one who is ungrateful and happy. The two are mutually exclusive."

Dennis Prager, 

The Rational Bible, Exodus: God, Slavery, and Freedom. 

Pg.440

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Proverbs 28:14-28

"How blessed is the man who fears always,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Like a roaring lion and a rushing bear

Is a wicked ruler over a poor people.

A leader who is a great oppressor 

lacks understanding,

But he who hates unjust gain will prolong his days.

A man who is laden with the guilt of human blood

Will be a fugitive until death; 

let no one support him.

He who walks blamelessly will be delivered,

But he who is crooked will fall all at once.

He who tills his land will have plenty of food,

But he who follows empty pursuits 

will have poverty in plenty.

A faithful man will abound with blessings,

But he who makes haste to be rich 

will not go unpunished.

To show partiality is not good,

Because for a piece of bread 

a man will transgress.

A man with an evil eye hastens after wealth

And does not know that want 

will come upon him.

He who rebukes a man will 

afterward find more favor

Than he who flatters with the tongue.

He who robs 

his father

or his mother

And says, 

“It is not a transgression,”

Is the companion of a man who destroys.

An arrogant man stirs up strife,

But he who trusts in the Lord will prosper.

He who trusts in his own heart is a fool,

But he who walks wisely 

will be delivered.

He who gives to the poor will never want,

But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves;

But when they perish, the righteous increase."

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