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
It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into, and go out of the world, ignorant of themselves and of the world they have lived in.
True Godliness doesn't turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it, and excites their endeavors to mend it. ...We have nothing that we can call our own; no, not our selves: for we are all but Tenants, and at Will, too, of the great Lord of our selves, and the rest of this great farm, the World that we live upon.
Kings in this world should imitate God, their mercy should be above their works.
There is nothing of which we are apt to be so lavish as of time, and about which we ought to be more solicitous; since without it we can do nothing in this world.
Interest has the security, though not the virtue of a principle. As the world goes, it is the surest side; for men daily leave both relations and religion to follow it.
Excess in apparel is another costly folly. The very trimming of the vain world would clothe all the naked ones.
I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do ... let me do it now.
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.
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.
Drunkenness spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans man. It reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, lascivious, impudent, dangerous, and mad.
Equivocation is half-way to lying, and lying the whole way to hell
Seek not to be Rich, but Happy. The one lies in Bags, the other in Content: which Wealth can never give.
Have wholesome, but not costly Food, and be rather cleanly than dainty in ordering it.
Have a care, therefore, where there is more sail than ballast.