William Penn

Force may make hypocrites, but it can never make converts.

Nothing does Reason more Right, than the Coolness of those that offer it: for Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders than from the arguments of its opposers.

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

Tis admirable to consider, how Powerful the Kings are, yet they move by the Breath of their People.

Religion is nothing else but love of God and man.

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.

Rebellions of the belly are the worst.

Fame must have enemies, as light must have gnats.

Associate reverently, as much as you can, with your loftiest thoughts.

Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run away.

I am ready to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.

Our thinking and our behaviour are always in anticipation of a response. It is therefore fear-based.

Those that are little, little things suit.

When a person cannot deceive himself the chances are against his being able to deceive other people.

The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.

Independence? That’s middle class blasphemy. We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth.

Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in short, in all the management of human affairs.

The finest language is mostly made up of simple unimposing words.

Be not the slave of your own past – plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with new self-respect, with new power, and with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.

The man is either mad, or he is making verses.

Your mind makes a cruel master, but a generous servant.