William Penn People Quotations

Let the people think they govern and they will be governed.

It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into, and go out of the world, ignorant of themselves and of the world they have lived in.

That which the people called Quakers lay down as a main fundamental in religion is this- That God, through Christ, hath placed a principle in every man, to inform him of his duty, and to enable him to do it; and that those that live up to this principle are the people of God, and those that live in disobedience to it, are not God's people, whatever name they may bear, or profession they may make of religion. This is their ancient, first, and standing testimony: with this they began, and this they bore, and do bear to the world.

[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.

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?

No people can be truly happy... if abridged of the freedom of their consciences

I have sometimes thought that people are, in a sort, happy, that nothing can put out of countenance with themselves, though they neither have nor merit other people's.

Let us, then, try what love will do, for if people once see we love them, we should soon find that they would not harm us. . . . force may subdue, but love gains; and they who forgive first, win the laurel.

Never esteem people (including yourself) more because they have money, nor think less of anyone (including yourself) because they lack it. Virtue is the only just reason for respecting anyone, lack of virtue the only reason for holding anyone in low regard.

People are more afraid of the laws of Man than of God, because their punishment seems to be nearest.

For we put the power in the people.