William Penn

Do Good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.

Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.

Avoid flatterers, for they are thieves in disguise.

They must first judge themselves, that presume to censure others: And such will not be apt to overshoot the Mark. We are too ready to retaliate, rather than forgive, or gain by Love and Information. And yet we could hurt no Man that we believe loves us. Let us then try what Love will do: For if Men did once see we Love them, we should soon find they would not harm us. Force may subdue, but Love gains: And he that forgives first, wins the [Laurel]. If I am even with my Enemy, the Debt is paid; but if I forgive it, I oblige him for ever.

Did we believe a final Reckoning and Judgment; or did we think enough of what we do believe, we would allow more Love in Religion than we do; since Religion it self 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. It is most reasonable Men should value that Benefit, which is most durable. Now Tongues shall cease, and Prophecy fail, and Faith shall be consummated in Sight, and Hope in Enjoyment; but Love remains.

A good end cannot sanctify evil means; nor must we ever do evil that good may come of it.

The years as they pass plunder us of one thing after another.

A mere literary man is a dull man; a man who is solely a man of business is a selfish man; but when literature and commerce are united, they make a respectable man.

Be present in all things and thankful for all things.

Let a man then know his worth, and keep things under his feet. Let him not peep or steal, or skulk up and down with the air of a charity-boy, a bastard, or an interloper.

The ancient Romans built their greatest masterpieces of architecture, their amphitheaters, for wild beasts to fight in.

We must substitute courage for caution.

The rain comes and what bends will rise. It is a purposeful journey.

Don’t grieve. Anything you lose comes round in another form.

Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.

The things most people want to know about are usually none of their business.

There are charms made only for distance admiration.

When you’re drowning, you don’t say ‘I would be incredibly pleased if someone would have the foresight to notice me drowning and come and help me,’ you just scream.

The only prudence in life is concentration.

City life is millions of people being lonesome together.

Wisdom has its root in goodness, not goodness its root in wisdom.