--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Half the ingratitude and complacency in…" description: "\"“Half the ingratitude and complacency in the world down to how slowly and imperceptibly most good and bad things unfold.”\" — Alain de Botton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/alain-de-botton-221_bad_half-the-ingratitude-and-complacency-in_43785.jpg" --- # Half the ingratitude and complacency in the world down to… ![“Half the ingratitude and complacency in the world down to how slowly and imperceptibly most good and bad things unfold.” quote by Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/alain-de-botton-221_bad_half-the-ingratitude-and-complacency-in_43785.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/alain-de-botton-221_bad_half-the-ingratitude-and-complacency-in_43785.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/502/alain-de-botton-221_bad_half-the-ingratitude-and-complacency-in_43785.jpg) > ““Half the ingratitude and complacency in the world down to how slowly and imperceptibly most good and bad things unfold.”” [Alain de Botton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-de-botton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human perception often overlooks the gradual nature of events, leading to ingratitude for good and complacency toward bad because change is subtle. **In simple terms:** We miss slow change, causing ingratitude and complacency. Key Takeaway Recognize gradual change to appreciate good and address bad. Themes perception time gratitude complacency change Mood contemplative thoughtful Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - reflecting on personal growth - evaluating societal progress - managing long‑term projects Key Concepts human bias temporal perception Practical Applications - mindfulness practice - strategic planning Questions to Reflect On - How can you become more aware of slow developments? - What habits help you counteract complacency? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bad things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bad-things/) [Complacency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/complacency/) [Good and bad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-and-bad/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Ingratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ingratitude/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Perception](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perception/) [Speed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speed/) ## Related quotes > [“I was being cured of soldiering on endlessly: my job was now to be still, which had become almost easy at last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-solnit/i-was-being-cured-of-soldiering-on-endlessly-my-job-was-now-to-be/) [Rebecca Solnit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-solnit/) > [When I look fast, I'm not smooth and I am going slowly. 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