Englishman and Quaker who founded the colony of Pennsylvania (1644-1718)

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Famous quotes by William Penn:Sort:Popular A - Z

All excess is ill, but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans men. It reveals secrets, is quarrelsome, lascivious, impudent, dangerous and bad.
Believe nothing against another but on good authority and never report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to some other to conceal it.
Believe nothing against another but on good authority; and never report what may hurt another, unless it be a greater hurt to some other to conceal it.
If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch, indeed who will not give them to him. Such a disposition is like lighting another man's candle by one's own, which loses none of its brilliancy by what the other gains.
If men will not be governed by God, they will be ruled by tyrants.
Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.
Never marry but for love but see that thou lovest what is lovely.
Never marry but for love; but see that thou lovest what is lovely.
No pain, no palm no thorns, no throne no gall, no glory, no glory no cross, no crown.
Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood.
Speak properly, and in as few words as you can, but always plainly; for the end of speech is not ostentation, but to be understood.
To do evil that good may come of it is for bunglers in politics as well as morals.
True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.
True silence is the rest of the mind it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.
True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.
Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.

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