--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Most men remember obligations, but are…" description: "\"Most men remember obligations, but are not often likely to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance and the vain silent.\" — William Gilm..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg" --- # Most men remember obligations, but are not often likely to… ![“Most men remember obligations, but are not often likely to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance and the vain silent.” quote by William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg) > “Most men remember obligations, but are not often likely to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance and the vain silent.” [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often forget gratitude, becoming sour or vain when recalling obligations. **In simple terms:** Gratitude fades, leading to bitterness. Key Takeaway Cultivate thankfulness. Themes human nature gratitude pride memory Mood thoughtful reflective Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - daily reflections - relationship building - teaching moments Key Concepts psychology of thankfulness social behavior Questions to Reflect On - How can gratitude be practiced daily? - What signs show ingratitude? A Different Perspective May generalize human behavior excessively. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-remember-1228209/) [Nostalgia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nostalgia/) [Proud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proud/) [Remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember/) [Remember Obligations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-obligations-3645869/) [Remembrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remembrance/) [Remembrance Vain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remembrance-vain-4802217/) [Silent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silent/) [Sour Remembrance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sour-remembrance-4802219/) ## Related quotes > [Most men remember obligations, but not often to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance and the vain silent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/most-men-remember-obligations-but-not-often-to-be-grateful-the-proud/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Our great modern Republic. May those who seek the blessings of its institutions and the protection of its flag remember the obligations they impose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-s-grant/our-great-modern-republic-may-those-who-seek-the-blessings-of-its/) [Ulysses S. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-s-grant/) > [And then, there will be some black men who can remember that, with silent tongue, and clenched teeth, and steady eye, and well-poised bayonnet,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/and-then-there-will-be-some-black-men-who-can-remember-that-with/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“We’re wild things us men, and when we remember it we’re at our most dangerous.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-lawrence/we-re-wild-things-us-men-and-when-we-remember-it-we-re-at-our-most/) [Mark Lawrence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-lawrence/) > [It's enough for you to do it once for a few men to remember you. But if you do it year after year, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/it-s-enough-for-you-to-do-it-once-for-a-few-men-to-remember-you-but/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [“So long as men remember the wrongs done to their forebears, no peace will ever last. So”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-r-r-martin/so-long-as-men-remember-the-wrongs-done-to-their-forebears-no-peace/) [George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/) > [Men always remember a woman who caused them concern and uneasiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/coco-chanel/men-always-remember-a-woman-who-caused-them-concern-and-uneasiness/) [Coco Chanel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/coco-chanel/) > [Men never remember, but women never forget.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-never-remember-but-women-never-forget/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [At least us old men remember what a real bear market is like, and the young men haven't got a clue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-grantham/at-least-us-old-men-remember-what-a-real-bear-market-is-like-and-the/) [Jeremy Grantham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-grantham/) > [With Faith No More, even though we're a bunch of old men, what I remember about our best shows is some sort of confrontation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-patton/with-faith-no-more-even-though-we-re-a-bunch-of-old-men-what-i/) [Mike Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-patton/) > [Women always remember the first kiss...men remember the last](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ally-mbululo/women-always-remember-the-first-kiss-men-remember-the-last/) [Ally Mbululo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ally-mbululo/) > [Let guilty men remember, their black deeds Do lean on crutches made of slender reeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-webster/let-guilty-men-remember-their-black-deeds-do-lean-on-crutches-made-of/) [John Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-webster/) > [When I want my men to remember something important, to really make it stick, I give it to them double dirty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-s-patton/when-i-want-my-men-to-remember-something-important-to-really-make-it/) [George S. Patton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-s-patton/) > [Adversity makes men remember God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/livy/adversity-makes-men-remember-god/) [Livy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/livy/) > [“Have you forgotten yet?... For the world's events have rumbled on since those gagged days, Like traffic checked while at the crossing of city-ways:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siegfried-sassoon/have-you-forgotten-yet-for-the-world-s-events-have-rumbled-on-since/) [Siegfried Sassoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siegfried-sassoon/) ## More by William Gilmore Simms > [Distinction is an eminence that is attained but too frequently at the expense of a fireside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/distinction-is-an-eminence-that-is-attained-but-too-frequently-at-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [I believe that economists put decimal points in their forecasts to show they have a sense of humor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/i-believe-that-economists-put-decimal-points-in-their-forecasts-to/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Today's public opinion, though it may appear as light as air, may be tomorrow's legislation-for better or for worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/today-s-public-opinion-though-it-may-appear-as-light-as-air-may-be/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [The wonder is not that the world is so easily governed, but that so small a number of persons will suffice for the purpose.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/the-wonder-is-not-that-the-world-is-so-easily-governed-but-that-so/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Tact is one of the first mental virtues, the absence of which is often fatal to the best of talents; it supplies the place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/tact-is-one-of-the-first-mental-virtues-the-absence-of-which-is-often/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Ambition is frequently the only refuge which life has left to the denied or mortified affections. We chide at the grasping eye, the daring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/ambition-is-frequently-the-only-refuge-which-life-has-left-to-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [The true law of the race is progress and development. Whenever civilization pauses in the march of conquest, it is overthrown by the barbarian.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/the-true-law-of-the-race-is-progress-and-development-whenever/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Better that we should err in action than wholly refuse to perform. The storm is so much better than the calm, as it declares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/better-that-we-should-err-in-action-than-wholly-refuse-to-perform-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [He who would acquire fame must not show himself afraid of censure. The dread of censure is the death of genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/he-who-would-acquire-fame-must-not-show-himself-afraid-of-censure-the/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [What we call vice in our neighbor may be nothing less than a crude virtue. To him who knows nothing more of precious stones…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/what-we-call-vice-in-our-neighbor-may-be-nothing-less-than-a-crude/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [The birth of a child is the imprisonment of a soul. The soul must work its way out of prison, and, in doing so,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/the-birth-of-a-child-is-the-imprisonment-of-a-soul-the-soul-must-work/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Public opinion is the greatest force for good, when it happens to be on our side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/public-opinion-is-the-greatest-force-for-good-when-it-happens-to-be/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Vanity may be likened to the smooth-skinned and velvet-footed mouse, nibbling about forever in expectation of a crumb; while self-esteem is too apt to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/vanity-may-be-likened-to-the-smooth-skinned-and-velvet-footed-mouse/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Tact is one of the first mental virtues, the absence of it is fatal to the best talent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/tact-is-one-of-the-first-mental-virtues-the-absence-of-it-is-fatal-to/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) > [Neither praise or blame is the object of true criticism. Justly to discriminate, firmly to establish, wisely to prescribe, and honestly to award. These…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/neither-praise-or-blame-is-the-object-of-true-criticism-justly-to/) [William Gilmore Simms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) [Explore all 52 William Gilmore Simms quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/) ## More Grateful quotes > [I feel very grateful to be alive and well enough to make music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-ant/i-feel-very-grateful-to-be-alive-and-well-enough-to-make-music/) [Adam Ant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-ant/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Obviously I'm very grateful 'Bad Guy' is doing so well - it's shocking and surprising and gratifying - but I do think it's important…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finneas/obviously-i-m-very-grateful-bad-guy-is-doing-so-well-it-s-shocking/) [Finneas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finneas/) > [Dear God, I trust that no matter what happens in my life, it is for my highest good. And no matter what happens in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/dear-god-i-trust-that-no-matter-what-happens-in-my-life-it-is-for-my/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Our nation's promise to have veterans' backs must extend to their families, who for their own service and sacrifices, deserve the full support of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-kim/our-nation-s-promise-to-have-veterans-backs-must-extend-to-their/) [Andy Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-kim/) > [“I'm grateful you entrusted me with them. But the day will come when someone will knock the sails out of you. She'll shatter every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senayda-pierre/i-m-grateful-you-entrusted-me-with-them-but-the-day-will-come-when/) [Senayda Pierre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senayda-pierre/) > [Cooking brings me so much joy. I love everything, down to the execution of the plate to picking out fresh ingredients at the market.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-budig/cooking-brings-me-so-much-joy-i-love-everything-down-to-the-execution/) [Kathryn Budig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-budig/) > [I'm just grateful to people who are willing to admit how bad things feel for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-furman/i-m-just-grateful-to-people-who-are-willing-to-admit-how-bad-things/) [Ezra Furman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-furman/) > [Together, we must prioritize the wellbeing of those who have selflessly served our nation. This is the least that a grateful nation can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-n-green/together-we-must-prioritize-the-wellbeing-of-those-who-have/) [Al N. Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-n-green/) > [I am persuaded that there is no affection of the human heart more exquisitely pure, than that which is felt by a grateful son…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-more/i-am-persuaded-that-there-is-no-affection-of-the-human-heart-more/) [Hannah More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-more/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Love your family. Love your country. Never stop learning... And always look back and be grateful to where you came from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gokongwei/love-your-family-love-your-country-never-stop-learning-and-always/) [John Gokongwei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gokongwei/) > [I'm grateful to Kroger for investing in our community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-e-james/i-m-grateful-to-kroger-for-investing-in-our-community/) [John E. James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-e-james/) [Browse all 4,100 Grateful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Most men remember obligations, but are not often likely to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the remembrance and the vain silent.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Gilmore Simms" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-not-often-likely-to-be-grateful/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Grateful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-not-often-likely-to-be-grateful/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/28e/william-gilmore-simms-12905_grateful_most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-no_3037785.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Most men remember obligations, but are not often likely to be grateful; the proud are made sour by the…” — William Gilmore Simms", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "William Gilmore Simms", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gilmore-simms/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Most men remember obligations, but are...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-not-often-likely-to-be-grateful/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gilmore-simms/most-men-remember-obligations-but-are-not-often-likely-to-be-grateful/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```