The Best Thank You Quotes and Sayings for Friends, Family, Coworkers and Teachers

Being thankful and expressing gratitude for the people and the things we have in life is an easy and accessible way to increase happiness, for yourself and for those around you. 

By choosing to practice gratitude, we consciously shift our focus towards positivity, moving away from our mind’s tendency to dwell on the more negative aspects of life. It is human nature to get caught up in wanting what we don’t have which leaves little room to reflect and give thanks for what we do have.  

A regular gratitude practice not only encourages a more positive outlook; it also helps minimize stress and can strengthen your relationships.

If you’re searching for the words to express your gratitude or need a reminder to appreciate the little things in life, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best thank you quotes to inspire you!

Thank You Quotes To Share with Friends

Friendships play such a crucial role in our lives; they provide us with support during the bad times and are there to celebrate with us in the good times. Not only can our friendships be a source of emotional support, they can also help reduce stress, extend lifespan and the list goes on.

Making friends and maintaining those relationships can be challenging with the demands of life, which is why it’s important to take the time to nurture and appreciate them. If you’re looking to express your gratitude to a good friend that’s really got your back, let these thank you quotes inspire you to let them know just how you care.

The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.

HUBERT H. HUMPHREY

If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together. Keep me in your heart. I’ll be there forever.

WINNIE THE POOH

There is nothing on this earth more prized than true friendship.

THOMAS AQUINAS

A friend is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

GRACE PULPIT

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

MAYA ANGELOU (more Maya Angelou quotes)

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

HELEN KELLER

Friendship isn’t about who you’ve known the longest; it’s about who came and never left your side.

YOLANDA HADID

But friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.

THOMAS JEFFERSON

For me, every hour is grace. And i feel gratitude in my heart each time i can meet someone and look at his or her smile.

ELIE WIESEL

Some people grumble that roses have thorns; I am grateful that thorns have roses.

ALPHONSE KARR

In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

ROBERT BRAULT

Appreciation Quotes for your Boss or Mentor

If you have a great mentor in your life, whether it’s your boss, your teacher or your coach, you’re one of the lucky ones. A good leader is able to motivate and inspire others through genuine care and support to achieve their full potential. If you’ve got someone that demonstrates these qualities in your corner, you can and should give thanks. 

Expressing a little gratitude can go a long way in strengthening your relationship and driving better results, but finding the right words can be a challenge. Are you wanting to show a supportive boss or an exceptional coach how much you appreciate their guidance? Check out these meaningful thank you quotes for a dose of inspiration.

It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.

TOM BROKAW

A good manager is a man who isn’t worried about his own career but rather the careers of those who work for him.

H. S. M. BURNS

A good boss makes his men realize they have more ability than they think they have so that they consistently do better work than they thought they could.

CHARLES ERWIN WILSON

Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.

CHARLES DICKENS (more Charles Dickens quotes)

The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.

HARVEY S. FIRESTONE

A leader is a DEALER IN HOPE.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

I think leadership is service and there is power in that giving: to help people, to inspire and motivate them to reach their fullest potential.

DENISE MORRISON

At the heart of great leadership is a curious mind, heart and spirit.

CHIP CONLEY

Leadership is unlocking people’s potential to become better.

BILL BRADLEY

The secret to success is good leadership, and good leadership is all about making the lives of your team members or workers better.

TONY DUNGY

If you treat an individual as he is, he will remain how he is. But if you treat him as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.

ZIG ZIGLAR

Gratitude is the sweetest thing in a seeker's life in all human life. If there is gratitude in your heart, then there will be tremendous sweetness in your eyes.

SRI CHINMOY

Beautiful Thank You Quotes for your Mom

Your mom is always there for you and she’s your biggest cheerleader. Her unconditional love and support has taught you invaluable life lessons that you’ve carried with you throughout the years. As time goes by, life gets busy and we don’t always get the chance to say thanks and sometimes, just finding the right words feels like an impossible task.

When was the last time you thanked your mom, or your mother figure, for the influence she’s had on your life? If you want to let your mom know how important she’s been in shaping who you’ve become and just how much you appreciate her, let these thank you quotes inspire you to express your gratitude.

Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible.

MARION C. GARRETTY

All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (more Abraham Lincoln quotes)

A mother is she who can take the place of all others but whose place no one else can take.

CARDINAL MERMILLOD

I look back on my childhood and thank the stars above. For everything you gave me, but mostly for your love.

WAYNE F. WINTERS

A mother is the truest friend we have.

WASHINGTON IRVING

There are so many times you will feel you have failed, but in the eyes, heart and mind of your child, you are super mom.

STEPHANIE PRECOURT

Mom, thank you for always modeling the utmost strength, determination, and work ethic.

STEPH GOLD

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.

CYNTHIA OZICK

My parents are my backbone. Still are. They’re the only group that will support you if you score zero or you score 40.

KOBE BRYANT

Two kinds of gratitude: The sudden kind we feel for what we take; the larger kind we feel for what we give.

EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON

None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy.

FRED DE WITT VAN AMBURGH

Gratitude for the present moment and the fullness of life now is the true prosperity.

ECKHART TOLLE

Quotes to Say Thanks To a Coworker

They are there with you in the trenches, day in and day out but how often do you thank your fellow coworkers? When a colleague goes out of their way to help you out or is always ready to lend a hand, consider taking the time to express how grateful you are for their support. 

Showing appreciation towards your colleagues helps cultivate a more positive work experience and environment, so what are you waiting for? Everyone likes to feel appreciated. If you have a coworker you want to thank but are having trouble translating your gratitude into words, these inspiring thank you quotes will get you on the right track.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much

HELEN KELLER

Light is the task when many share the toil.

HOMER

If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to get.

FRANK A. CLARK

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.

GEORGE BERNARD SHAW

Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.

OPRAH WINFREY (more Oprah Winfrey quotes)

Probably no greater honor can come to any man than the respect of his colleagues.

CARY GRANT

Make it a habit to tell people, ‘Thank You.’ to express your appreciation sincerely and without the expectation of anything in return. Truly appreciate those around you, and you’ll soon find many others around you. Truly appreciate life, and you’ll find that you have more of it.

RALPH MARSTON

We should not only use the brains we have, but all that we can borrow.

THOMAS WOODROW WILSON

An agreeable companion on a journey is as good as a carriage.

PUBLILIUS SYRUS

No one who achieves success does so without the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.

ALFRED NORTH WHITEHEAD

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.

HENRI FREDERIC AMIEL

You ought to be thankful a whole heaping lot, for the places and people you’re lucky you’re not!

DR. SEUSS

Meaningful Thank You Quotes for Her

Do you have a special someone in your life? Does she effortlessly brighten up your days? You may struggle to express how you feel but making her feel appreciated will undoubtedly strengthen your bond. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; a heartfelt message can be just as meaningful.

If you’re grateful for all the little things she does for you and for who she is as a person, don’t put off letting her know - it can have a lasting and positive impact on your relationship If you’re struggling to find the words, we’ve got you. Check out these thank you quotes for her and shower your special lady with affection.

You could’ve had anyone in the world, but you chose me. Thank you.

ANTHONY T. HINCKS

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.

CICERO

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.

KRISTIN ARMSTRONG

You know you’re in love when you can’t fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams

DR. SEUSS (more Dr. Seuss quotes)

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.

WILLIE NELSON

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

ALBERT SCHWEITZER

Got no checkbooks, got no banks, still i’d like to express my thanks. I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.

RVING BERLIN

God's love is so real that He created you to prove it.

NICK VUJICIC (more Nick Vujicic quotes)

Love is the greatest gift when given. It is the highest honor when received.

FAWN WEAVER

You changed my life without even trying, and I don’t think I could ever tell you how much you mean to me. I can’t imagine what things would be like if I hadn’t met you.

STEVE MARA

Lord that lends me life, lend me a heart replete with thankfulness.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Gratitude is the closest thing to beauty manifested in an emotion.

MINDY KALING

Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

MARCEL PROUST (more Marcel Proust quotes)

Appreciation Quotes for your Employees

Employee recognition is an integral part of building a healthy workplace culture because team members are the lifeblood of any organization. As a leader, it may feel like you’re too busy to say thanks, but intentionally taking the time to show gratitude for your employees' contributions, will only motivate them to keep doing their best.

When was the last time you thanked an employee? Maybe you’re grateful for their loyalty during uncertain times, for their work on a big project or simply for making a fresh pot of coffee. Big or small, there’s always a reason to practice more gratitude. Here are some quotes you can share with an employee to say thanks.

We must find time to stop and thank people who make a difference in our lives.

JOHN F. KENNEDY

Recognition is not a scarce resource. You can't use it up or run out of it.

SUSAN M. HEATHFIELD

Don't let the sun go down without saying thank you to someone, and without admitting to yourself that absolutely no one gets this far alone.

STEPHEN KING (more Stephen King quotes)

Complaining is finding faults. Wisdom is finding solutions.

AJAHN BRAHM. 

Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgiving, turn routine jobs into joy and change ordinary opportunities into blessings.

WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD

Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.

RANDY PAUSCH

People leave when they don’t feel appreciated. That’s why we’ve made recognition a really high value. Our business is people-capability first; then you satisfy customers; then you make money.

DAVID NOVAK

I have always believed that the way you treat your employees is the way they will treat your customers, and that people flourish when they are praised.

SIR RICHARD BRANSON

Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.

VOLTAIRE

What separates privilege from entitlement is gratitude. 

BRENE BROWN

Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.

JIM ROHN

Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.

ECKHART TOLLE

Thoughtful Thank You Quotes for Teachers

A great teacher is a precious gift to students, parents, and society as a whole. Educators are influential role models and they touch the lives of their students in many different ways. More than just being responsible for education, teachers can also be sources of inspiration, guidance and support. In other words, they have the ability to create lasting and meaningful change.

Do you have an exceptional teacher that’s motivated you to achieve a specific goal? Do you want to give thanks to a teacher that’s gone above and beyond? A small gesture like a short note will do the trick and to help you, we’ve gathered some quotes you can share to say thank you.

Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me.

FRED ROGERS

A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.

HENRY BROOKS ADAMS

The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.

WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD

It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.

ALBERT EINSTEIN (more Albert Einstein quotes)

Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own.

NIKOS KAZANTZAKIS

Most of us end up with no more than five or six people who remember us. Teachers have thousands of people who remember them for the rest of their lives.

ANDY ROONEY

I think the teaching profession contributes more to the future of society than any other single profession.

JOHN WOODEN

Because my teacher believed in me, I never gave up. Now I am flying towards my dreams.

HEIDI MCDONALD

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.

HENRI FRIEDRICH AMIEL

Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.

HENRY WARD BEECHER

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

WILLIAM ARTHUR WARD

Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

AESOP

There is no better way to thank god for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.

HELEN KELLER

Heartfelt Gratitude Quotes for Him

How often do you stop and reflect on your relationship with your partner? When was the last time you expressed gratitude for their presence in your life? Making it a habit of thanking your partner for all the big and little things they do for you is one of the best ways you can improve your relationship.

When you communicate how much you appreciate him, it can encourage him to do the same and if practiced regularly, gratitude can make your relationship thrive. Besides, we all enjoy feeling cherished every now and then. If you’re thinking of a creative way to thank him, browse these beautiful quotes for some inspiration!

Where there is great love, there are miracles.

WILLA CATHER

You are, and always have been, my dream.

NICHOLAS SPARKS

I want to thank you for the profound joy I’ve had in the thought of you.

ROSIE ALISON

So many people have touched my heart and made an impact on my world. I’m thankful for every lesson and learning experience.

BINDI IRWIN

The older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

MARY SCHMICH

Some people arrive and make such a beautiful impact on your life, you can barely remember what life was like without them.

ANNA TAYLOR

We are two among the wild herds spontaneous as any.

WALT WHITMAN

Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!

JOSEPH B. WIRTHLIN

I lie in bed at night, after ending my prayers with the words ‘Ich danke dir für all das Gute und Liebe und Schöne.’ (Thank you, God, for all that is good and dear and beautiful.)

ANNE FRANK (more Anne Frank quotes)

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.

RALPH WALDO EMERSON

Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.

LIONEL HAMPTON

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.

MAYA ANGELOU

‘Thank you’ is the best prayer that anyone could say. I say that one a lot. Thank you expresses extreme gratitude, humility, understanding.

ALICE WALKER