Thanksgiving

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20 Thanksgiving Quotes That Capture The Spirit Of Gratitude

None of them mention cranberry sauce from a can. Sadly.

by Alice Emory
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

The Thanksgiving holiday can summon a variety of emotions in all of us. It can conjure memories both happy and sad: Kids eating pie for the first time, or kids throwing up from too much pie. Or, memories funny and furious: Aunt Kendra taking her wig off at dinner, or Aunt Kendra insulting your husband at dinner. This list of Thanksgiving quotes captures the vibe of Turkey Day but, beyond that, they are are kind of a mixed bag. Some quotes are wise words on thankfulness, some are silly musings on gravy, and some are just expressing warm, cozy thoughts of togetherness.

Thanksgiving is kind of a quiet holiday in some regards, which is what many of us cherish about it. It doesn’t have the inflatable costumes and candy of Halloween, or the piles of presents and decorations of Christmas. But, it can also feel louder in some ways, in that for many of us the day can be a swirl of cooking, kid chaos, and carefully side-stepping conversation landmines with certain relatives. Whatever your Thanksgiving Day is usually like, these quotes from comedians, authors, philosophers and others will help to get you in the spirit of things, and serve to remind us all what the day is truly about: Gratitude.

Funny Thanksgiving Quotes

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“The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we all can agree so vehemently about? I don’t think so.” — Nora Ephron

"I come from a family where gravy is considered a beverage." — Erma Bombeck

“After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relations." — Oscar Wilde

"Thanksgiving is so called because we are all so thankful that it only comes once a year." — P.J. O’Rourke

“I approximated the Black Friday experience at home by hurling myself into a wall a number of times and then ordering online.” — Kumail Nanjiani

Cozy Thanksgiving Quotes

“What I love about Thanksgiving is that it’s purely about getting together with friends or family and enjoying food. It’s really for everybody, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from.” — Daniel Humm

“At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint, or een remember. It is enough.” - Toni Morrison

“In November, people are good to each other. They carry pies to each other's homes and talk by crackling wood stoves, sipping mellow cider. They travel very far on a special November day

just to share a meal with one another and to give thanks for their many blessings.” — Cynthia Rylant

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.” -Melodie Beatty

“The holiday season is the perfect time for giving thanks and for eating pumpkin pie.” -Unknown

Inspirational Thanksgiving Quotes

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“Wear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.” — Rumi

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

“Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has plenty; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” — Charles Dickens

“Forever on Thanksgiving Day, the heart will find the pathway home.” — Wilbur D. Nesbit

“Thanksgiving day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.”– E.P. Powell

Thanksgiving Quotes About Gratitude

“What if today, we were just grateful for everything?” — Charlie Brown

“If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” — Meister Eckhart

“Thankfulness is measured by the number of words. Gratitude is measured by the nature of our actions.” — David O. McKay

“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” — Henry David Thoreau

“Thanksgiving is the holiday that encompasses all others. All of them, from Martin Luther King Day to Arbor Day to Christmas to Valentine’s Day, are in one way or another about being thankful.” — Jonathon Safran Foer

Hopefully these powerful Thanksgiving quotes will help you stay grounded on a day that can be chaotic. Happy Thanksgiving!

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