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36 Great Quotes By William Penn

Famous As: Writer
Born On: October 14, 1644
Died On: July 30, 1718
Born In: London, England
Founder / Co Founder: Province of Pennsylvania
Died At Age: 73
William Penn was a celebrated English philosopher, founder of the State of Pennsylvania, real estate entrepreneur, and early Quaker. He was an early proponent of religious freedom and democracy. He is also renowned for his successful treaties and amiable relations with the Lenape Native Americans. The city of Philadelphia was designed and developed under his direction. Being one of the early exponents of colonial unification, he urged and wrote in favour of uniting all the English colonies. United States Constitution drew inspiration from the democratic principles that Penn set forth in the Pennsylvania Frame of Government. We have rounded some notable quotes and sayings by William Penn, which have been collected from his works, thoughts, writings, books and life. Zoom through for the famous quotes and thoughts by William Penn on friendship, jealousy, beauty, mind, health, sleep, trust, knowledge, ignorance, laurels, eternity, popularity, etc.
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Time is what we want most,but what we use worst.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

William Penn
True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.

True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.

William Penn
Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.

Those people who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.

William Penn
I know no religion that destroys courtesy, civility, and kindness.

I know no religion that destroys courtesy, civility, and kindness.

William Penn
Avoid popularity it has many snares and no real benefit.

Avoid popularity it has many snares and no real benefit.

William Penn
A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil that good may come of it.

A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil that good may come of it.

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

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

William Penn
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.

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.

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

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

William Penn
Let us see what love can do.

Let us see what love can do.

William Penn
No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.

No man is fit to command another that cannot command himself.

William Penn
Only trust theyself, and another shall noet betray thee

Only trust theyself, and another shall noet betray thee

William Penn
This is the comfort of the godly: the grave cannot hold them, and they live as soon as they die.
For death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity.

This is the comfort of the godly: the grave cannot hold them, and they live as soon as they die. For death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity.

William Penn
Let the people think they govern and they will be governed

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed

William Penn
Let us try what love will do.

Let us try what love will do.

William Penn
No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.

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

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.

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.

William Penn
For death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity.

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

William Penn
Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.

Nothing does reason more right, than the coolness of those that offer it: For Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.

William Penn
My prison will be my grave before I budge a jot, for I owe my conscience to no mortal man.

My prison will be my grave before I budge a jot, for I owe my conscience to no mortal man.

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

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

William Penn
Let us then try what love can do to mend a broken world.

Let us then try what love can do to mend a broken world.

William Penn
The jealous are troublesome to others, but torment to themselves.

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

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

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

William Penn
(advice to his children) 
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.

(advice to his children) 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.

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

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

William Penn
Between a Man and his Wife nothing ought to rule but Love. Authority is for Children and Servants; yet not without Sweetness.

Between a Man and his Wife nothing ought to rule but Love. Authority is for Children and Servants; yet not without Sweetness.

William Penn