William Penn Quotes

159 Sourced Quotes

Nor must we always be neutral where our neighbors are concerned: for tho' meddling is a fault, helping is a duty.

William Penn
It is profitable wisdom to know when we have done enough: Much time and pains are spared in not flattering ourselves against probabilities.

William Penn
A man, like a watch, is to be valued for his manner of going.

William Penn
Love labour: for if thou dost not want it for food, thou mayest for physique. It is wholesome for the body, and good for the mind. It prevents the fruits of idleness, which many times come of nothing to do, and leads many to do what is worse than nothing.

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

William Penn
They that censure, should practice. Or else let them have the first stone, and the last too.

William Penn
The way, like the cross, is spiritual: that is an inward submission of the soul to the will of God, as it is manifested by the light of Christ in the consciences of men, though it be contrary to their own inclinations.

William Penn
Do what good thou canst unknown, and be not vain of what ought rather to be felt than seen.

William Penn
Some men do as much begrudge others a good name, as they want one themselves: and perhaps that is the reason of it.

William Penn
Were the superfluities of a nation valued, and made a perpetual tax or benevolence, there would be more alms-houses than poor, schools than scholars, and enough to spare for government besides.

William Penn
The usefullest truths are plainest; and while we keep to them, our differences cannot rise high.

William Penn
Excess in apparel is another costly folly. The very trimming of the vain world would clothe all the naked ones.

William Penn
Covetousness is the greatest of monsters, as well as the root of all evil.

William Penn
A jealous man only sees his own spectrum when he looks upon other men, and gives his character in theirs.

William Penn
We have a call to do good, as often as we have the power and occasion.

William Penn
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.

William Penn
By liberty of conscience, we understand not only a mere liberty of the mind, in believing or disbelieving this or that principle or doctrine; but the exercise of ourselves in a visible way of worship, upon our believing it to be indispensably required at our hands, that if we neglect it for fear of favor of any mortal man, we sin and incur divine wrath.

William Penn
If thou wouldst be happy, bring thy mind to thy condition, and have an indifferency for more than what is sufficient.

William Penn
If it be an evil to judge rashly or untruly any single man, how much a greater sin it is to condemn a whole people.

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

William Penn
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.

William Penn
Be sure that religion cannot be right that a man is the worse for having.

William Penn
Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast. Yet it must be confessed that wit given an edge to sense, and recommends it extremely.

William Penn
It is the amends of a short and troublesome life, that doing good and suffering ill entitles man to a longer and better.

William Penn
If thy debtor be honest and capable, thou hast thy money again, if not with increase, with praise; if he prove insolvent, don't ruin him to get that which it will not ruin thee to lose, for thou art but a steward.

William Penn
To have religion upon authority, and not upon conviction, is like a finger-watch, to be set forwards or backwards, as he pleases that has it in keeping.

William Penn
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.

William Penn
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.

William Penn
Let us, then, try what love will do, for if people once see we love them, we should soon find that they would not harm us.... force may subdue, but love gains; and they who forgive first, win the laurel.

William Penn
We are told truly that meekness and modesty are the rich and charming garments of the soul. The less showy our outward attire is, the more distinctly and brilliantly does the beauty of these inner garments shine.

William Penn