Quotes from William Penn

He that does good for good's sake seeks neither paradise nor reward, but he is sure of both in the end.

Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.

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

It would be far better to be of no church than to be bitter of any.

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

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.

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

To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.

[I]t is impossible that any people of government should ever prosper, where men render not unto God, that which is God's, as well as to Caesar, that which is Caesar's.

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

Show is not substance; realities govern wise men.

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

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

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

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

No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.

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

If thou thinkest twice before thou speakest once, thou wilt speak twice the better for it.

Hasty resolutions are of the nature of vows, and to be equally avoided.

Peace can only be secured by justice; never by force of arms.

If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him. Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.

Kings in this world should imitate God, their mercy should be above their works.

Next to God, thy parents.

Children, Fear God; that is to say, have an holy awe upon your minds to avoid that which is evil, and a strict care to embrace and do that which is good.