50+ William Penn Quotes About Politics, Ethics And Religion

Penn was an author and member of the Religious Society of Friends (popularly known as Quakers).

He also founded the province of Pennsylvania. He declared the city of Philadelphia to be the capital of the province of Pennsylvania.

The city of Philadelphia was well-planned and organized under his direction and supervision. He was very well known and fondly remembered for his diplomatic relations and successfully executed treaties with Native Americans. Penn considered this to be one of his most significant accomplishments, and is what he is primarily remembered for. He was also one of the first few people who suggested creating a European Parliament, well ahead of his time, as the European Union only came to be in the late twentieth century.

William Penn produced many insightful quotes during his life, perhaps his most famous quote of all time is about 'time' itself. He famously said, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst", insightful right?

If you enjoy these William Penn famous quotes, do have a look at our [Bob Dylan Quotes] and Tom Petty quotes too. Of all the quotes from William Penn, make sure to let us know which your favorite is!

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Since he founded Pennsylvania, read on to see what William Penn had to say about Pennsylvania state and the city of Philadelphia that he founded.

1. "It may be a green country town which will never be burnt and always be wholesome."

- William Penn, 'The Life Of William Penn'.

2. "This day my country was confirmed to me under the great seal of England, with large powers and privileges, by the name of Pennsylvania."

- William Penn, 'Letter To Robert Turner', 14 March 1681.

You'll find out through these quotes why his views on politics were celebrated amongst many people.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn, 'No Cross, No Crown'.

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

- William Penn.

His thoughts on ethics have the potential to change the thought processes of many people.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

12. "All excess is ill: but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans Men: It reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, lascivious, impudent, dangerous and mad."

- William Penn.

13. "In fine, he that is drunk is not a man: Because he is so long void of reason that distinguishes a man from a beast."

- William Penn.

William Penn encouraged freedom under religion. Find out how through these quotes.

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

- William Penn.

15. "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God."

- William Penn.

16. "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."

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

18. "Force may make hypocrites, but it can never make converts."

- William Penn.

19. "It would be far better to be of no church than to be bitter of any."

- William Penn.

20. "It is a reproach to religion and government to suffer so much poverty and excess."

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

21. "To be furious in religion is to be irreligiously religious."

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

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

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

23. "To be like Christ is to be a Christian."

- William Penn, 'No Cross, No Crown'.

These quotes can stir up your thoughts.

24. "Inquire often, but judge rarely, and thou wilt not often be mistaken."

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

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

- William Penn.

26. "Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee."

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

30. "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."

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

Do you want to know what a learned man like him had to say about knowledge as advice for the mortal man?

32. "Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man."

- William Penn.

33. "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.

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

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

36. "Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast."

- William Penn.

37. "An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom."

- William Penn.

38. "Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. "

- William Penn.

39. "Some are so very studious of learning what was done by the ancients that they know not how to live with the moderns."

- William Penn.

40. "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, 'Fruits Of A Father's Love'.

William Penn loved his friends and these quotes on friendship portray just how much he valued friendship.

41. "Let us see what love can do."

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

43. "Force may subdue, but Love gains and he that forgives first wins the laurel."

- William Penn.

44. "Between a man and his wife, nothing ought to rule but love."

- William Penn.

45. "Authority is for children and servants, yet not without sweetness."

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn, 'Some Fruits Of Solitude'.

These quotes are very inspiring and show that good may come if you remain motivated.

47. "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."

- William Penn.

48. "Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains."

- William Penn.

49. "The tallest trees are most in the power of the winds, and ambitious men of the blasts of fortune."

- William Penn.

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

- William Penn.

51. "He that lives to live forever never fears dying."

- William Penn.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created many interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone at home to enjoy! If you liked reading through our William Penn quotes, why not also look at our [David Attenborough quotes] or [conservation quotes]?

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