Quotes By William Penn

Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders than the arguments of its opposers.

Rarely promise, but, if lawful, constantly perform.

A good End cannot sanctify evil Means; nor must we ever do Evil, that Good may come of it.

Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

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

Passion is the mob of the man, that commits a riot upon his reason.

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

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

Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire.

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

Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast.

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

Passion is a sort of fever in the mind, which ever leaves us weaker than it found us.

True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.

Much reading is an oppression of the mind, and extinguishes the natural candle, which is the reason of so many senseless scholars in the world.

In marriage do thou be wise: prefer the person before money, virtue before beauty, the mind before the body; then thou hast a wife, a friend, a companion, a second self.

Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.

If thou wouldst conquer thy weakness, thou must never gratify it.

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

The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.

Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee.

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

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed.

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.

To be like Christ is to be a Christian.

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.

Avoid popularity; it has many snares, and no real benefit.

The tallest Trees are most in the Power of the Winds, and Ambitious Men of the Blasts of Fortune.

He that lives to live forever, never fears dying.

Between a man and his wife nothing ought to rule but love. Authority is for children and servants, yet not without sweetness.