Top 260 Quotes & Sayings by William Penn - Page 4

It is not only a troublesome but slavish to be nice [fastidious].

The only fountain in the wilderness of life, where man drinks of water totally unmixed with bitterness, is that which gushes for him in the calm and shady recess of domestic life.

There is a troublesome humor some men have, that if they may not lead, they will not follow; but had rather a thing were never done, than not done their own way, tho' other ways very desirable.

Five things are requisite to a good officer — ability, clean hands, despatch, patience, and impartiality.

Haste makes work which caution prevents.

Silence is Wisdom where Speaking is Folly.

Friendship is the union of spirits.

No religion is better than an unnatural one.

Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast. Yet it must be confessed that wit given an edge to sense, and recommends it extremely.

Wherefore, brethren, let us be careful neither to out-go our guide, nor yet loiter behind him; since he that makes haste, may miss his way, and he that stays behind, lose his guide.

To be innocent is to be not guilty; but to be virtuous is to overcome our evil inclinations.

It would go a long way to caution and direct people in their use of the world that they would better studied and known in the creation of it. For how could man find the confidence to abuse it, while they should see the Great Creator stare them in the face, in all and every part thereof?

Some men do as much begrudge others a good name, as they want one themselves: and perhaps that is the reason of it.

Hasty resolutions are of the nature of vows, and to be equally avoided.

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

Above all things endeavor to breed them up the love of virtue, and that holy plain way of it which we have lived in, that the world in no part of it get into my family. I had rather they we're homely than finely bred as to outward behavior; yet I love sweetness mixed with gravity, and cheerfulness tempered with sobriety.

A wise neuter joins with neither, but uses both as his honest interest leads him.

Love grows, lust wastes by enjoyment.

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

The wisdom of nations lies in their proverbs, which are brief and pithy.

'Tis no sin to be tempted, but to be overcome.

We are too apt to love praise, but not to deserve it.

False-dealing travels a short road, and surely detected.

If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not tell them to him.

For disappointments, that come not by our own folly, they are the trials or corrections of Heaven: and it is our own fault, if they prove not our advantage.

Interest has the security, though not the virtue of a principle. As the world goes, it is the surest side; for men daily leave both relations and religion to follow it.

Many able Gardeners and Husbandmen are yet Ignorant of the Reason of their Calling; as most Artificers are of the Reason of their own Rules that govern their excellent Workmanship. But a Naturalist and Mechanick of this sort is Master of the Reason of both, and might be of the Practice too, if his Industry kept pace with his Speculation; which were every commendable; and without which he cannot be said to be a complete Naturalist or Mechanick.

[I]t is impossible that any people of government should ever prosper, where men render not unto God, that which is God's, as well as to Caesar, that which is Caesar's.

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

If we are but sure the end is right, we are too apt to gallop over all bounds to compass it; not considering the lawful ends may be very unlawfully attained.

There is nothing of which we are apt to be so lavish as of time, and about which we ought to be more solicitous; since without it we can do nothing in this world.

Men not living to what they know, cannot blame God, that they know no more.

Charity is ... a universal remedy against discord, and an holy cement for mankind.

Frugality is good if liberality be joined with it. The first is leaving off superfluous expenses; the last is bestowing them to the benefit of others that need. The first without the last begets covetousness; the last without the first begets prodigality.

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 mad.

Never chide with anger, but instruction.

The public must and will be served.

Tis the glory of a man to vail to truth; as it is the mark of a good nature to be easily entreated.

A private Life is to be preferrd; the Honour and Gain of publick Posts, bearing no proportion with the Comfort of it.

Let us try what love will do.

Where judgment has wit to express it, there's the best orator.

He who gives to the poor, lends to the Lord. But it may be said, not improperly, the Lord lends to us to give to the poor.

That plenty should produce either covetousness or prodigality is a perversion of providence; and yet the generality of men are the worse for their riches.

It is a coal from God's altar must kindle our fire; and without fire, true fire, no acceptable sacrifice.

Death cannot kill that which does not die.

Where charity keeps pace with gain, industry is blessed.

If thou wouldst be happy, bring thy mind to thy condition, and have an indifferency for more than what is sufficient.

Cunning to wise, is as an Ape to a Man.

A man in business must put up many affronts if he loves his own quiet.

They that Marry for Money cannot have the true Satisfaction of Marriage; the requisite Means being wanting.

Nothing but a good life can fit men for a better one hereafter.

Justice is justly represented blind, because she sees no difference in the parties concerned. She has but one scale and weight, for rich and poor, great and small.

It is the difference betwixt lust and love that this is fixed, that volatile. Love grows, lust wastes by enjoyment.

They that soar too high, often fall hard.

The usefullest truths are plainest; and while we keep to them, our differences cannot rise high.

It is the amends of a short and troublesome life, that doing good and suffering ill entitles man to a longer and better.

Disappointments that aren't a result of our own foolishness are a testing of our faith or a correction from heaven, and it is our own fault if these disappointments don't work for our own good.

Clear therefore thy head, and rally, and manage thy thoughts rightly, and thou wilt save time, and see and do thy business well; for thy judgment will be distinct, thy mind free, and the faculties strong and regular.

Excess in apparel is another costly folly. The very trimming of the vain world would clothe all the naked ones.

Love labour: for if thou dost not want it for food, thou mayest for physique. It is wholesome for the body, and good for the mind. It prevents the fruits of idleness, which many times come of nothing to do, and leads many to do what is worse than nothing.