William Penn

They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill, what never dies. Nor can Spirits ever be divided that love and live in the same Divine Principle; the Root and Record of their Friendship. If Absence be not death, neither is theirs. Death is but Crossing the World, as Friends do the Seas; They live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that which is Omnipresent. In this Divine Glass, they see Face to Face; and their Converse is Free, as well as Pure. This is the Comfort of Friends, that though they may be said to Die, yet their Friendship and Society are, in the best Sense, ever present, because Immortal.

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.

You are now fixed at the mercy of no governor that comes to make his fortune great; you shall be governed by laws of your own making and live a free, and if you will, a sober and industrious life. I shall not usurp the right of any, or oppress his person. God has furnished me with a better resolution and has given me his grace to keep it.

The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.

To hazard much to get much has more of avarice than wisdom.

Only trust theyself, and another shall noet betray thee

I had rather see the portrait of a dog that I know, than all the allegorical paintings they can show me in the world.

Illusion is the first of all pleasures.

Gossip is a sort of smoke that comes from the dirty tobacco-pipes of those who diffuse it: it proves nothing but the bad taste of the smoker.

Truth is beautiful, without doubt; but so are lies.

There is no such whetstone, to sharpen a good wit and encourage a will to learning, as is praise.

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.

Events can neither be regarded as a series of adventures nor strung on the thread of a preconceived moral. They must obey their own laws.

As there is a use in medicine for poisons, so the world cannot move without rogues.

One lesson we learn early, that in spite of seeming difference, men are all of one pattern. We readily assume this with our mates, and are disappointed and angry if we find that we are premature, and that their watches are slower than ours. In fact, the only sin which we never forgive in each other is difference of opinion.

Prejudice not being funded on reason cannot be removed by argument.

Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.

Nuptial love makes mankind; friendly love perfects it; but wanton love corrupts and debases it.

If you develop rules, never have more than ten.

Faith keeps many doubts in her pay. If I could not doubt, I should not believe.