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
Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.
Religion itself is nothing else but Love to God and Man. He that lives in Love lives in God, says the Beloved Disciple: And to be sure a Man can live no where better.
A good end sanctify evil means; not must we ever do evil, that good might come of it. We are ready to retaliate, rather than forgive or gain by love and information . . . Force may subdue, but love gains. And one that forgives first wins the laurel.
There can be no Friendship where there is no Freedom.
The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy.
I know no religion that destroys courtesy, civility, and kindness.
Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee.
Let us, then, try what love will do, for if people once see we love them, we should soon find that they would not harm us. . . . force may subdue, but love gains; and they who forgive first, win the laurel.
'Tis no sin to be tempted, but to be overcome.
Friendship is the union of spirits...
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.
To be innocent is to be not guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.
It is a cruel folly to offer up to ostentation so many lives of creatures, as to make up the state of our treats.
I shall pass through life but once. Let me show kindness now, as I shall not pass this way again.