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The greatest virtue of all that has changed my life the most
The foundation for joy, inner peace and abundance.
The one habit that consistently puts me in a good mood, makes me feel more connected with others and myself and reduces mental stress is gratitude. It makes me appreciate life a lot more. Joy, contentment and inner peace are by-benefits of a gratitude mindset. Roman lawyer, writer, orator Marcus Tullius Cicero thought gratitude was the greatest and parent virtue of all; foundationfor all others.
“Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others,” he said.
He believed every other good quality — kindness, humility, generosity — grows from a grateful heart. Gratitude is not just the source of all virtues but also a mindset — a way of seeing the world. It’s finding joy in the small things and appreciating the big ones. It shifts your focus. Instead of dwelling on what you lack, you see what you have.
The ancient Greeks understood the value of it.
Greek Stoic philosopher Epicurus observed it was key to a fulfilling life. “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for, he said.
