The single greatest cause of happiness is gratitude.

When we call a philosopher distinguished, we are not saying that she is worthy and not saying that she is recognized, but we are saying that she occupies the intersection of both – that she is recognized and worthy; even that she is recognized because she's worthy. In the case of arate, the direction of the 'because' can seem a little vaguer, so that it can sometimes seem almost as if someone is regarded as worthy because they are recognized.

A true friend does not make you win by making you the winner to the detriment of the true winner. He makes sure that you become a loser, not because he likes the way you fail, but to enlighten you on how it feels to be treated that way and to demonstrate that love and respect are not exclusive.

The key to valuing something is to lose it and then realize how rare it was—after which you pray like mad to regain what you foolishly lost. The value of an item often depends upon how hard it is to attain.

Gratitude turns disappointment into lessons learned, discoveries made, alternatives explored, and new plans set in motion.

Those who are truly grateful are deeply moved by the privilege of living.

We all have problems. Or rather, everyone has at least one thing that they regard as a problem.

The organized domestic terrorism of the general public is why many people regard the police as corrupt.

Anything great will only be appreciated if I am given the opportunity to feel the absence of it, or experience the reversal of it. It is only then that I can even begin to understand its majesty and cherish it in the manner I should have all along.

We need to regard every problem or situation as an opportunity to be triumphant and celebrate the victory of Jesus in our lives.