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
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.
Those who would mend the world must first mend themselves.
Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.
I expect to pass through life but once. If therefore, there be any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not defer or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again.
A private Life is to be preferrd; the Honour and Gain of publick Posts, bearing no proportion with the Comfort of it.
Children, Fear God; that is to say, have an holy awe upon your minds to avoid that which is evil, and a strict care to embrace and do that which is good.
Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man.
Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast.
Cunning to wise, is as an Ape to a Man.
Above all things endeavor to breed them up the love of virtue, and that holy plain way of it which we have lived in, that the world in no part of it get into my family. I had rather they we're homely than finely bred as to outward behavior; yet I love sweetness mixed with gravity, and cheerfulness tempered with sobriety.
Show is not substance; realities govern wise men.
Knowledge is the treasure, but judgment is the treasurer of the one who is wise.
Some are so very studious of learning what was done by the ancients that they know not how to live with the moderns.