William Penn

Amuse not thy self therefore with the numerous Opinions of the World, nor value thy self upon verbal Orthodoxy, Philosophy, or thy Skill in Tongues, or Knowledge of the Fathers; (too much the Business and Vanity of the World). But in this rejoyce, That thou knowest God, that is the Lord, who exerciseth loving Kindness, and Judgment; and Righteousness in the Earth.

Passion is a sort of fever in the mind, which ever leaves us weaker than it found us.

She is but half a wife that is not, nor is capable of being, a friend.

He that has more knowledge than judgment, is made for another man’s use more than his own.

Hasty resolutions are of the nature of vows, and to be equally avoided

In all debates let truth be thy aim; not victory or an unjust interest; and endeavor to gain rather than to expose thy antagonist.

I believe in one thing only, the power of the human will

Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased by tales, so is the other.

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

I reckon being ill as one of the great pleasures of life, provided one is not too ill and is not obliged to work till one is better.

You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once but don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.

Why was the human race created? Or at least why wasn’t something creditable created in place of it? God had His opportunity. He could have made a reputation. But no, He must commit this grotesque folly – a lark which must have cost Him a regret or two when He came to think it over and observe effects.

He was like a cock who thought the sun had risen to hear him crow.

No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war.

A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly.

The man who leaves money to charity in his will is only giving away what no longer belongs to him.

The highest panegyric, therefore, that private virtue can receive, is the praise of servants.

Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.

There is no odor so bad as that which arises from goodness tainted.

I am sorry to think that you do not get a man’s most effective criticism until you provoke him. Severe truth is expressed with some bitterness.

Injustice in the end produces independence.