William Penn Quotes - Page 3

True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.

Silence is Wisdom where Speaking is Folly.

No people can be truly happy... if abridged of the freedom of their consciences

If thou wouldst conquer thy weakness, thou must never gratify it. No man is compelled to evil: his consent only makes it his. It is no sin to be tempted, but to be overcome.

The best recreation is to do good.

Always remember to bound thy thoughts to the present occasion.

Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.

Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.

He that lives in love lives in God.

Love is the hardest lesson in Christianity; but, for that reason, it should be most our care to learn it.

The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy. Collect and learn them; they are notable measures of directions for human life; you have much in little; they save time in speaking; and upon occasion may be the fullest and safest answer.

If we would mend the World, we should mend Ourselves; and teach our Children to be, not what we are, but what they should be.

It were happy if we studied nature more in natural things; and acted according to nature, whose rules are few, plain, and most reasonable.

Knowledge is the treasure, but judgment the treasurer, of a wise man.

[Tho]ugh death be a dark passage; it leads to immortality, and that is recompense enough for suffering of it. And yet faith lights us, even through the grave....And this is the comfort of the good, and the grave cannot hold them, and they live as they die. For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.

Never esteem people (including yourself) more because they have money, nor think less of anyone (including yourself) because they lack it. Virtue is the only just reason for respecting anyone, lack of virtue the only reason for holding anyone in low regard.

Did we believe a final Reckoning and Judgment; or did we think enough of what we do believe, we would allow more Love in Religion than we do; since Religion it self is nothing else but Love to God and Man. Love is indeed Heaven upon Earth; since Heaven above would not be Heaven without it: For where there is not Love; there is Fear: But perfect Love casts out Fear. Love is above all; and when it prevails in us all, we shall all be Lovely, and in Love with God and one with another.

We need to stop arguing about Christ and start living like Christ.

Anything less than full justice is cruelty.

Death cannot kill what never dies.

Choose thy clothes by thine own eyes, not another's.

Let men be good, and the Government cannot be bad.

I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do ... let me do it now.

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed.

Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.