William Penn Quotes

They have a right to censure that have a heart to help.

Make few resolutions, but keep them strictly

She is but half a wife that is not, nor is capable of being, a friend.

Never chide with anger, but instruction.

To be furious in religion is to be irreligiously religious.

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

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

The Remedy often proves worse than the Disease.

The unspoken word never defeats one. What one does not say does not have to be explained.

Levity of behavior, always a weakness, is far more unbecoming in a woman than a man.

Government seems to me to be a part of religion itself - a thing sacred in its institutions and ends.

Five things are requisite to a good officer — ability, clean hands, despatch, patience, and impartiality.

If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not tell them to him.

Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.

Religion is the fear of God, and its demonstration good works; and faith is the root of both: For without faith we cannot please God; nor can we fear what we do not believe.

Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.

Eat... to live, and do not live to eat.

God sends us the poor to try us.... And he that refuses them a little out of the great deal that God has given lays up poverty in store for his own posterity.

Inquire often, but judge rarely, and thou wilt not often be mistaken.

The usefulest truths are the plainest.

A vain man is a nauseous creature: he is so full of himself that he has no room for anything else, be it never so good or deserving.

Silence is Wisdom where Speaking is Folly.

Though our Savior's passion is over, his compassion is not.

It is certain that the most natural and human government is that of consent, for that binds freely, ... when men hold their liberty by true obedience to rules of their own making.

Let us then try what Love will do: For if Men do once see we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us.

It is a cruel folly to offer up to ostentation so many lives of creatures, as to make up the state of our treats.

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

It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into, and go out of the world, ignorant of themselves and of the world they have lived in.

Tis the glory of a man to vail to truth; as it is the mark of a good nature to be easily entreated.

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.

He who gives to the poor, lends to the Lord. But it may be said, not improperly, the Lord lends to us to give to the poor.

Death cannot kill that which does not die.

There is a troublesome humor some men have, that if they may not lead, they will not follow; but had rather a thing were never done, than not done their own way, tho' other ways very desirable.

Where judgment has wit to express it, there's the best orator.

No religion is better than an unnatural one.

There is nothing of which we are apt to be so lavish as of time, and about which we ought to be more solicitous; since without it we can do nothing in this world.

It is not only a troublesome but slavish to be nice [fastidious].

Let us try what love will do.

For disappointments, that come not by our own folly, they are the trials or corrections of Heaven: and it is our own fault, if they prove not our advantage.

That plenty should produce either covetousness or prodigality is a perversion of providence; and yet the generality of men are the worse for their riches.

Justice is justly represented blind, because she sees no difference in the parties concerned. She has but one scale and weight, for rich and poor, great and small.

It is the difference betwixt lust and love that this is fixed, that volatile. Love grows, lust wastes by enjoyment.

The public must and will be served.

They that soar too high, often fall hard.

The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.

Wherefore, brethren, let us be careful neither to out-go our guide, nor yet loiter behind him; since he that makes haste, may miss his way, and he that stays behind, lose his guide.

They that Marry for Money cannot have the true Satisfaction of Marriage; the requisite Means being wanting.

To be innocent is to be not guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.

If we are but sure the end is right, we are too apt to gallop over all bounds to compass it; not considering the lawful ends may be very unlawfully attained.

A private Life is to be preferrd; the Honour and Gain of publick Posts, bearing no proportion with the Comfort of it.