William Penn

The Country is both the Philosopher’s Garden and his Library, in which he Reads and Contemplates the Power, Wisdom and Goodness of God.

He who is taught to live upon little owes more to his father’s wisdom than he who has a great deal left to him owes to his father’s care.

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.

Amuse not thy self therefore with the numerous Opinions of the World, nor value thy self upon verbal Orthodoxy, Philosophy, or thy Skill in Tongues, or Knowledge of the Fathers; (too much the Business and Vanity of the World). But in this rejoyce, That thou knowest God, that is the Lord, who exerciseth loving Kindness, and Judgment; and Righteousness in the Earth.

If thou rise with an Appetite, thou art sure never to sit down without one.

To be a man’s own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody’s.

There’s not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.

Solvency is maintained by means of a national debt, on the principle, If you will not lend me the money, how can I pay you?

The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender.

Such is the state of life, that none are happy but by the anticipation of change: the change itself is nothing; when we have made it, the next wish is to change again.

Things do not change; we change.

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

To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.

When the desire ain’t on me I don’t need help. When it is on me I don’t want any. See? Like the old fellah that never mended his roof. Said on a wet day he couldn’t do it and on a dry day it was as good as anybody’s.

We all have our challenges, issues, things that we’re working through and insecurity is there because nobody is perfect no matter who you are. It’s that imperfection that makes you so dope.

Not believing in force is the same as not believing in gravity.

A man must make his opportunity, as oft as find it.

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

From now on, ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put.

Do something every day that you don’t want to do. This is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.

There are charms made only for distant admiration.