William Penn

Kings in this should imitate God, their mercy should be above their works.

The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy. Collect and learn them; they are notable measures of directions for human life; you have much in little; they save time in speaking; and upon occasion may be the fullest and safest answer.

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.

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

Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.

As Love ought to bring them together, so it is the best Way to keep them well together.

I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it.

The city is recruited from the country.

I only desire sincere relations with the worthiest of my acquaintance, that they may give me an opportunity once in a year to speak the truth.

The trees are about to show us how lovely it is to let things go.

We are shut up in schools and college recitation rooms for ten or fifteen years, and come out at last with a belly-full of words and do not know a thing. The things taught in schools and colleges are not an education, but the means of education.

What is truth? said jesting Pilate; and would not stay for an answer.

No matter how often you are defeated, you are born to victory.

A strenuous soul hates cheap success.

For the most important decisions in your life, trust your intuition, and then work with everything you have, to prove it right.

If you cannot get rid of the family skeleton, you may as well make it dance.

Quarrel? Nonsense; we have not quarreled. If one is not to get into a rage sometimes, what is the good of being friends?

I teach that all men are mad.

We, unaccustomed to courage exiles from delight live coiled in shells of loneliness until love leaves its high holy temple and comes into our sight to liberate us into life. Love arrives and in its train come ecstasies old memories of pleasure ancient histories of pain. Yet if we are bold, love strikes away the chains of fear from our souls. We are weaned from our timidity In the flush of love’s light we dare be brave And suddenly we see that love costs all we are and will ever be. Yet it is only love which sets us free.

You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.

The wretched have no compassion, they can do good only from strong principles of duty.