William Penn Quotes
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Interest has the security, though not the virtue of a principle. As the world goes, it is the surest side; for men daily leave both relations and religion to follow it.
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If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not tell them to him.
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It is the amends of a short and troublesome life, that doing good and suffering ill entitles man to a longer and better.
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Justice is the insurance which we have on our lives and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.
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For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.
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God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers.
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Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.
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Hasty resolutions are of the nature of vows, and to be equally avoided.
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True Godliness doesn't turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it, and excites their endeavors to mend it. ...We have nothing that we can call our own; no, not our selves: for we are all but Tenants, and at Will, too, of the great Lord of our selves, and the rest of this great farm, the World that we live upon.
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Silence is Wisdom where Speaking is Folly.
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Five things are requisite to a good officer — ability, clean hands, despatch, patience, and impartiality.
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It is profitable wisdom to know when we have done enough: Much time and pains are spared in not flattering ourselves against probabilities.
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The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.
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If you protect a man from folly, you will soon have a nation of fools.
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A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil that good may come of it. We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive, or gain by love and information. And yet we could hurt no man that we believe loves us. Let us, then, try what love will do: for if men do once see that we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but love gains; and he that forgives first, wins the laurel.
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Show is not substance; realities govern wise men.
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Many able Gardeners and Husbandmen are yet Ignorant of the Reason of their Calling; as most Artificers are of the Reason of their own Rules that govern their excellent Workmanship. But a Naturalist and Mechanick of this sort is Master of the Reason of both, and might be of the Practice too, if his Industry kept pace with his Speculation; which were every commendable; and without which he cannot be said to be a complete Naturalist or Mechanick.
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For nothing reaches the heart but what is from the heart, or pierces the conscience but what comes from a living conscience
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It would go a long way to caution and direct people in their use of the world that they would better studied and known in the creation of it. For how could man find the confidence to abuse it, while they should see the Great Creator stare them in the face, in all and every part thereof?
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Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
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We are too careless of posterity; not considering that as they are, so the next generation will be.
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The smaller the drink, the clearer the head, and the cooler the blood.
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Wit gives an edge to sense, and recommends it extremely.
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Not to be provok'd is best: But if mov'd, never correct till the fume is spent; for every stroke our fury strikes, is sure to hit our selves at last.