Quotes from William Penn

It is a severe rebuke upon us, that God makes us so many allowances, and we make so few to our neighbour.

Is it reasonable to take it ill, that anybody desires of us that which is their own? All we have is the Almighty's; and shall not God have his own when he calls for it?

God sends us the poor to try us.... And he that refuses them a little out of the great deal that God has given lays up poverty in store for his own posterity.

It is a coal from God's altar must kindle our fire; and without fire, true fire, no acceptable sacrifice.

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

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.

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.

He who is taught to live upon little owes more to his father's wisdom than he who has a great deal left him does to his father's care.

Never give out while there is hope; but hope not beyond reason, for that shows more desire than judgement.

Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast.

Neither despise nor oppose what thou dost not understand.

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

For we put the power in the people.

The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.

In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His good presence; this will carry you evenly through your day's business.

God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers.

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.

I expect to pass through life but once. If, therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.

To be innocent is to be not guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.

Always rise from the table with an appetite, and you will never sit down without one.

It were better to be of no church, than to be bitter for any.

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

Love grows. Lust wastes by Enjoyment, and the Reason is, that one springs from an Union of Souls, and the other from an Union of Sense.

A wise neuter joins with neither, but uses both as his honest interest leads him.