The essay on Gratitude is taken from an early edition of Dietrich von Hildebrand’s book “The Art of Living.”  It is filled, as usual with his writings, with many treasures.  Please read the essay before arriving.  You can download it by clicking on this link:
D von Hildebrand, On Gratitude

It must not be forgotten that reason too needs to be sustained in all its searching by trusting dialogue and sincere friendship. A climate of suspicion and distrust, which can beset speculative research, ignores the teaching of the ancient philosophers who proposed friendship as one of the most appropriate contexts for sound philosophical enquiry.