William Penn - Men Quotes

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The country life is to be preferred, for there we see the works of God; but in cities little else but the works of men. And the one makes a better subject for contemplation than the other.

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

William Penn
Nothing shows our weakness more than to be so sharp-sighted at spying other men's faults, and so purblind about our own.

William Penn
Men not living to what they know, cannot blame God, that they know no more.

William Penn
What man in his right mind would conspire his own hurt? Men are beside themselves when they transgress against their convictions.

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
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
Governments, like clocks, go from the motion men give them; and as governments are made and moved by men, so by them they are ruined too. Wherefore governments rather depend upon men, than men upon governments. Let men be good, and the government cannot be bad; if it be ill, they will cure it. But, if men be bad, let the government be never so good, they will endeavor to warp and spoil it to their turn.

William Penn
True religion does not draw men out of the world but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.

William Penn
Private men, in fine, are so much their own, that, paying common dues, they are sovereigns of all the rest. Yet the public must and will be served; and they that do it well, deserve public marks of honour and respect. To do so, men must have public minds, as well as salaries; or they will serve private ends at the public cost. Government can never be well administered, but where those intrusted make conscience of well discharging their places.

William Penn
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. He that lives in Love lives in God, says the Beloved Disciple: And to be sure a Man can live no where better. It is most reasonable Men should value that Benefit, which is most durable. Now Tongues shall cease, and Prophecy fail, and Faith shall be consummated in Sight, and Hope in Enjoyment; but Love remains.

William Penn
The tallest trees are most in the power of the winds, and ambitious men of the blasts of fortune.

William Penn
They must first judge themselves, that presume to censure others: And such will not be apt to overshoot the Mark. 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 did once see 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 Lawrel. If I am even with my Enemy, the Debt is paid; but if I forgive it, I oblige him for ever.

William Penn
As Puppets are to Men, and Babies to Children, so is Man's Workmanship to God's: We are the Picture, he the Reality.

William Penn
For as men in battle are continually in the way of shot, so we, in this world, are ever within the reach of Temptation.

William Penn
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.

William Penn
All excess is ill, but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans men. It reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, lascivious, impudent, dangerous and mad. In fine, he that is drunk is not a man: because he is so long void of Reason, that distinguishes a Man from a Beast.

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

William Penn
Men being born with a title to perfect freedom and uncontrolled enjoyment of all the rights and privileges of the law of nature... no one can be put out of his estate and subjected to the political view of another, without his consent.

William Penn
I know what is said by the several admirers of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy, which are the rule of one, a few, and many, and are the three common ideas of government, when men discourse on the subject. But I chuse to solve the controversy with this small distinction, and it belongs to all three: Any government is free to the people under it (whatever be the frame) where the law rules, and the people are a party to those laws, and more than this is tyranny, oligarchy, or confusion.

William Penn