William Penn

If we are but sure the end is right, we are too apt to gallop over all bounds to compass it; not considering the lawful ends may be very unlawfully attained.

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

Do Good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.

Equivocation is half-way to lying, and lying the whole way to hell.

To do evil that good may come of it is for bunglers in politics as well as mortals.

To delay justice, is injustice.

Well, I don’t know, but I’ve been told the streets in heaven are lined with gold. I ask you how things could get much worse if the Russians happen to get up there first; Wowee! pretty scary!

Heaven and earth and I are of the same root, The ten-thousand things and I are of one substance.

Atheism is rather in the lip than in the heart of man.

I’m essentially agnostic. I don’t have a problem with God. I have a problem with religion. I’ve chosen to live my life without the certainties of religious faith. I think they’re dangerous. Music is something that gives my life value and spiritual solace.

In the end, only three things matter: How much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.

There are three books my daughter felt were the most important influences in her life: the Bible, her mother’s cookbook, and her father’s checkbook.

Abandon yesterday, tomorrow and today. Cross over to the farthest shore beyond life and death.

You believe in a book that has talking animals, wizards, witches, demons, sticks turning into snakes, burning bushes, food falling from the sky, people walking on water, and all sorts of magical, absurd and primitive stories, and you say that we are the ones that need help?

Work out your own salvation. Do not depend on others.

Our prayers should be for blessings in general, for God knows best what is good for us.

Perhaps the most spiritual thing any of us can do is simply to look through our own eyes, see with the eyes of wholeness, and act with integrity and kindness.

We’ve had the goddam Ages of Faith, we’ve had the goddam Age of Reason. This is the Age of Publicity.

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.

Adam was the luckiest man; he had no mother-in-law.

We talk a lot about hope, helping, and teamwork. Our whole message is that we are more powerful together.