William Penn
William Penn
William Penn24 October 1644 – 30 July 1718) was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, early Quaker and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early advocate of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful treaties with the Lenape Native Americans. Under his direction, the city of Philadelphia was planned and developed...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth14 October 1644
CityLondon, England
Naked Truth needs no shift.
The usefullest truths are plainest; and while we keep to them, our differences cannot rise high.
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.
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.
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
It is the difference betwixt lust and love that this is fixed, that volatile. Love grows, lust wastes by enjoyment.
The Country is both the Philosopher's Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.
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.
Always remember to bound thy thoughts to the present occasion.
I shall pass through life but once. Let me show kindness now, as I shall not pass this way again.
It is a cruel folly to offer up to ostentation so many lives of creatures, as to make up the state of our treats.
To be innocent is to be not guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.
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.
Neither great nor good things were ever attained without loss and hardships. Those that would reap and not labour, must faint with the wind, and perish in disappointments; but an hair of my head shall not fall, without the providence of my Father that is over all.