Home / Authors / William Penn

William Penn

William Penn Quotes

Author

William Penn, born on October 14, 1644, and died on July 30, 1718, was an English author, politician, and religious leader. He is renowned for his contributions to religious freedom and democratic politics, as well as for being the founder of the state of Pennsylvania.

Filter quotes by topic

All Men Ifs World May Mind Way People Evil Quaker Virtue Death Reason Should Wise Ends Inspirational Judgment Dies Firsts Friendship

Famous William Penn Quotes

“They that censure, should practice. Or else let them have the first stone, and the last too.”

Should Firsts Lasts Practice Stones Criticism Censure

Book:Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims Relating to the Conduct of Human Life

Source: Fruits of Solitude, in Reflections and Maxims Relating to the Conduct of Human Life

“A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil, that good may come of it... It is as great presumption to send our passions upon God's errands, as to palliate them with God's name... We are too ready to retailiate, rather than forgive, or gain by love and information. And yet we could hurt no man that we believe loves us. Let us try then 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 laurel.”

Ifs Men Should Trying Firsts Believe May Mean Ends Passion Evil Winning Names Force Hurt Information Ready Gains Forgiving Harm Presumption Laurels Believe In Love Sanctify Errands

Author:William Penn

“Love is the hardest lesson in Christianity; but, for that reason, it should be most our care to learn it.”

Should Reason Care Love Is Christianity Lessons Hardest Good Christian Religious Love

Book:Franklin's Way to Wealth and Penn's Maxims

Source: Franklin's Way to Wealth and Penn's Maxims

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

World Should God This World Kings Mercy

Author:William Penn

“If we would mend the World, we should mend Ourselves; and teach our Children to be, not what we are, but what they should be.”

Ifs World Should Children Family Teach Our Children

Book:Franklin's Way to Wealth and Penn's Maxims

Source: Franklin's Way to Wealth and Penn's Maxims

“It would go a long way to caution and direct people in their use of the world that they would better studied and known in the creation of it. For how could man find the confidence to abuse it, while they should see the Great Creator stare them in the face, in all and every part thereof?”

People Men World Way Should Long Use Faces Known Creation Direct Abuse Creator Staring Caution Long Way

Author:William Penn

“[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.”

People Men Should Wells Government Religion Impossible Morality

Author:William Penn

“That plenty should produce either covetousness or prodigality is a perversion of providence; and yet the generality of men are the worse for their riches.”

Men Should Produce Riches Plenty Providence Perversion Covetousness Generalities

Author:William Penn

“Let us then try what Love will do: For if Men do once see we love them, we should soon find they would not harm us.”

People Ifs Love Should Trying Firsts May Winning Force Gains Forgiving Harm Laurels

Author:William Penn