Quotes by William Penn

“Where God does not govern, tyrants will rule”

In all debates, let truth be thy aim, not victory, or an unjust interest.

They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies. Nor can spirits ever be divided, that love and live in the same divine principle, the root and record of their friendship. If absence be not death, neither is theirs. Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.

Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is omnipresent. In this divine glass, they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal.

Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still.

Time is what we want most,but what we use worst.

A true friend unbosoms freely, advises justly, assists readily, adventures boldly, takes all patiently, defends courageously, and continues a friend unchangeably

Sense never fails to give them that have it, Words enough tomake them understood. It too often happens in some conversations,as in Apothecary Shops, that those Pots that are Empty, or haveThings of small Value in them, are as gaudily Dressd as those thatare full of precious Drugs.They that soar too high, often fall hard, making a low and levelDwelling preferable. The tallest Trees are most in the Power of theWinds, and Ambitious Men of the Blasts of Fortune. Buildings haveneed of a good Foundation, that lie so much exposed to theWeather.

I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore there be any kindness I can show...let me do it now.

Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood.

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed

Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it.

Justice is the insurance which we have on our lives and property. Obedience is the premium which we pay for it.

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.

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.

Wear none of thine own Chains; but keep free, whilst thou art free.

I will never do this, says one, yet does it: I am resolved to do this, says another; but flags upon second Thoughts: Or does it, tho’ awkwardly, for his Word’s sake: As if it were worse to break his Word, than to do amiss in keeping it.

All Excess is ill: But Drunkenness is of the worst Sort.

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

The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs which are brief and pithy.