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PRELIMS AND MAINS 2026
Gs paper – iv - ETHICS
HUMAN VALUES SERIES - IV
GRATITUDE
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. DEFINITION
2. QUOTES ON GRATITUDE
3. WHY IS GRATITUDE IMPORTANT?
4. WAYS TO INCULCATE GRATITUDE
5. EXAMPLES OF GRATITUDE
6. PRACTICE QUESTIONS
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1. DEFINITION AND MEANING Sharp Notes
Gratitude is the act of recognizing and acknowledging the good things that
happen, resulting in a state of appreciation. Gratitude is both a state and a trait.
It is defined as “a sense of thankfulness and joy in response to receiving a gift,
whether the gift is a tangible benefit from a specific other or a moment of
peaceful bliss evoked by a situation”.
2. QUOTES ON GRATITUDE
1. “Gratitude is important not only because it helps people feel good but also
because it inspires them to do good" – Dr APJ Abdul Kalam
2. “Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we
learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if
we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.” - Buddha
3. “Gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.” –
Mother Teresa
4. “May the work of your hands be a sign of gratitude and reverence to the
human condition.” — Mahatma Gandhi
5. “The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” – Dalai
Lama
6. “He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but
rejoices for those which he has.” – Greek philosopher Epictetus
7. “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”
– Roman philosopher Cicero
3. WHY IS GRATITUDE IMPORTANT?
1. Wellbeing: Gratitude has been found to be beneficially associated with social
wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and psychological wellbeing.
2. Self Esteem: Gratitude helps to realize Self Esteem, as it gives a positive
emotion about acknowledgement and being acknowledged.
3. Domino effect: Gratitude appears to have a domino effect. If a person
experiences gratitude, they are more likely to recognize the help and then
later reciprocate that help. Gratitude seems to prepare the brain for
generosity, and this positively impacts in charity giving.
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Sharp Notes
4. Quality of relationship: Gratitude has the potential to enhance the quality of
our relationships, as appreciation improves cordiality. Expressing gratitude
can fortify trust in relationships, both personal and professional.
5. Virtue: Practising gratitude helps automatically practice other virtues, which
elevates one’s moral standards. Gratitude acts as an antidote to entitlement,
promoting humility and the understanding that benefits received often
involve others' kindness or effort.
6. Decision making: Gratitude can guide individuals in making decisions that
are not only beneficial to them but also to those around them, leading to
moral reinforcement.
4. WAYS TO INCULCATE GRATITUDE
1. Journaling about things for which to be grateful
2. Writing/sending a letter to someone for whom you are grateful
3. Meditating on gratitude (present moment awareness)
4. Undertaking the “Count Your Blessings” exercise (at the end of the week,
writing down three things for which you were grateful)
5. Practicing saying “thank you” in a sincere and meaningful way
6. Writing thank you notes
7. If religious, praying about your gratitude
5. EXAMPLES OF GRATITUDE
1. Gratitude during COVID-19 Pandemic
Gratitude promoted resilience during pandemic like COVID-19. The efforts of
doctors and frontline warriors, public sharing the scarce resources, landlords
giving up rents from tenants showed their traits of appreciation and giving
back to the society.
2. David’s story of gratitude when surrounded by enemies
David was on the run from King Saul, and fled to his enemies, the Philistines.
Unsurprisingly, they chucked him in prison. While he was there, he wrote
Psalm 56, in which he praises God for keeping him from death. The message
here is, it could always be worse! There’s always something to be grateful for,
even if it’s just the air in our lungs.
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Sharp Notes
3. CSR Mission of LinkedIn
LinkedIn wants to use their platform and tools to make a positive impact in
the world, and connect under-served communities, such as youth, veterans,
and refugees, with economic opportunities. It set up an initiative called
“Welcome Talent” to support Refugees. They partner with non-profit and
government groups in different countries to train refugees on key business
skills, connect them with mentors, and help them find employment.
4. Anne Frank’s diary, The Diary of a Young Girl, is filled with reflections that show
her ability to find gratitude even in dire circumstances. She deeply
appreciated the people who helped her family and others hiding in the Secret
Annex. Her writings frequently acknowledge the courage and generosity of
Miep Gies and other helpers who risked their lives to provide food, supplies,
and information. She wrote “I don’t think of all the misery, but of the beauty
that still remains”.
5. While Sunita Williams has struck in space for 6 months, she expressed
gratitude for her family and the opportunity to live and work in space, stating
that she feels fortunate to be in her "happy place."
6. Gratitude for Personal Growth
• Say “please” and “sorry.” Expressing gratitude for even small acts of
kindness or service goes a long way. Thank the barista who makes your
coffee, the cashier who checks you out at the store, and the coworker who
stays late to finish a project.
• Reflect on small pleasures.
• Share gratitude on social media to spread positivity
• Volunteer your time or donate to a good cause
• Taking the time to enjoy your morning coffee with all your senses, being
fully in the present moment.
• Feeling thankful for your health when you workout.
• Feeling grateful for the modern technology of GPS allowing you to find the
best way to drive home!
• Being grateful to your newly developed assertiveness when you say no to
a request on your time or energy.
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7. Gratitude Examples in Challenging Situations
Sharp Notes
• Being grateful for your support network
• Helping others even when you’re struggling, you can still make a positive
impact on others.
• Learning from challenges and staying optimistic
8. Gratitude Examples at Work and in Professional Settings
• Sending an appreciation email
• Complimenting your coworkers
• Showing appreciation for support staff
• Bringing treats to share with your coworkers
9. Examples of gratitude in relationships
• Writing thank-you cards
• Sending a heartfelt thank-you text
• Complimenting them openly and often
• Surprising them with their favorite treat or small gift
• Spending quality time together
• Expressing Appreciation through words has power.
• Reflecting on Your Day
6. PRACTICE QUESTIONS:
1. Why is cultivating gratitude considered essential for enhancing overall
happiness and fostering positive connections in our lives?
2. What does gratitude truly mean, and how can understanding its significance
transform the way we approach our daily lives?
3. “Gratitude is riches. Complaint is poverty.” What does this quote mean to
you?
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