William Penn

It is a profitable Wisdom to know when we have done enough: Much time and Pains are spared, in not flattering our selves against Probabilities.

We are apt to love praise, but not deserve it. But if we would deserve it, we must love virtue more than that.

He that does good for good’s sake seeks neither paradise nor reward, but he is sure of both in the end.

Avoid popularity it has many snares and no real benefit.

Where charity keeps pace with grain, industry is blessed, but to slave to get, and keep it sordidly, is a sin against Providence, a vice in government and an injury to their neighbours.

The country life is to be preferred, for there we see the works of God; but in cities little else but the works of men. And the one makes a better subject for contemplation than the other.

Language is the archives of history.

Who prays for Satan? Who, in 1,800 years, has had the common humanity to pray for the one sinner that needed it most?

The painters could be identified by dirty fingernails; the writers by conversation in labored monosyllables and aggressive vulgarities which disguised their minds.

I am a democrat only on principle, not by instinct – nobody is that. Doubtless some people say they are, but this world is grievously given to lying.

I have the conviction that excessive literary production is a social offence.

If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience!

It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

Of what significance are the things you can forget.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.

Some of your grief you have cured, and lived to survive; but what torments of pain have you endured that haven’t as yet arrived.

Poetry must be as new as foam and as old as the rock.

Work is always an antidote to depression.

What is called genius is the abundance of life and health.

No two on earth in all things can agree. All have some daring singularity.