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William Penn Quotes

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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.

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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

“We are inclined to call things by the wrong names. We call prosperity 'happiness', and adversity 'misery' eventhough adversity is the school of wisdom and often the way to eternal happiness.”

Way School Names Eternal Adversity Misery Prosperity Eternal Happiness

Author:William Penn

“There is a troublesome humor some men have, that if they may not lead, they will not follow; but had rather a thing were never done, than not done their own way, tho' other ways very desirable.”

Ifs Men Way May Done Leadership Desirable Troublesome

Author:William Penn

“Above all things endeavor to breed them up the love of virtue, and that holy plain way of it which we have lived in, that the world in no part of it get into my family. I had rather they we're homely than finely bred as to outward behavior; yet I love sweetness mixed with gravity, and cheerfulness tempered with sobriety.”

World Way Children Virtue Holy Behavior All Things My Family Endeavor Gravity Sweetness Cheerfulness Sobriety Sweet Love Homely

Author:William Penn

“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, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.”

“That all persons living in this province, who confess and acknowledge the one Almighty and eternal God, to be the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the world; and that hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall, in no ways, be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion, or practice, in manners of faith and worship, nor shall they be compelled, at any time, to frequent or maintain any religious worship, place or ministry whatever.”

World Way Persons Religious Liberty Practice Eternal Worship Conscience Creator Manners Acknowledge Rulers Ministry Almighty Persuasion Compelled Obliged Provinces Civil Society

Author:William Penn

“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

“Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.”

Way Art Whole Truth Lying Speak Half Hell Obliged Speak The Truth Half Way

Book:Fruits of solitude in reflections and maxims relating to the conduct of human life. A new ed

Source: Fruits of solitude in reflections and maxims relating to the conduct of human life. A new ed

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

Men World Way This World Battle Shots Temptation

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

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

“I shall pass through life but once. Let me show kindness now, as I shall not pass this way again.”

Way Life Shows Values Kindness Let Me

Author:William Penn

“By liberty of conscience, we understand not only a mere liberty of the mind, in believing or disbelieving this or that principle or doctrine; but the exercise of ourselves in a visible way of worship, upon our believing it to be indispensably required at our hands, that if we neglect it for fear of favor of any mortal man, we sin and incur divine wrath.”

Ifs Men Way Mind Believe Hands Sin Liberty Principles Divine Exercise Worship Conscience Mere Favors Doctrine Mortals Visible Neglect Wrath

Book:The Select Works of William Penn....

Source: The Select Works of William Penn....

“The way, like the cross, is spiritual: that is an inward submission of the soul to the will of God, as it is manifested by the light of Christ in the consciences of men, though it be contrary to their own inclinations.”

Men Way Soul Light Spiritual Christ Conscience Crosses Contrary Gods Will Inward Submission Inclination Quaker Light Of Christ

Book:No Cross, No Crown: A Discourse Showing the Nature and Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ, and that the Denial of Self, and Daily Bearing of Christ's Cross, is the Alone Way to the Rest and Kingdom of God : to which are Added, the Living and Dying Testimonies of Many Persons of Fame and Learning, Both of Ancient and Modern Times, in Favour of this Treatise : in Two Parts

Source: No Cross, No Crown: A Discourse Showing the Nature and Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ, and that the Denial of Self, and Daily Bearing of Christ's Cross, is the Alone Way to the Rest and Kingdom of God : to which are Added, the Living and Dying Testimonies of Many Persons of Fame and Learning, Both of Ancient and Modern Times, in Favour of this Treatise : in Two Parts

“Wherefore, brethren, let us be careful neither to out-go our guide, nor yet loiter behind him; since he that makes haste, may miss his way, and he that stays behind, lose his guide.”

Way May Loses Behinds Missing Careful Guides Be Careful Haste Brethren Quaker

Book:The Rise and Progress of the People Called Quakers

Source: The Rise and Progress of the People Called Quakers

“Death then, being the way and condition of life, we cannot love to live if we cannot bear to die.”

Ifs Way Dies Conditions Bears Life And Death

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

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