William Penn (1644 – 1718)
Quaker who founded the Province of Pennsylvania, the British North American colony that became the U S state of Pennsylvania.
There can be no Friendship where there is no Freedom. Friendship loves a free Air, and will not be penned up in streight and narrow Enclosures. It will speak freely, and act so too; and take nothing ill where no ill is meant; nay, where it is, ’twill easily forgive, and forget too, upon small Acknowledgments.
Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.
The public must and will be served.
Children, Fear God; that is to say, have an holy awe upon your minds to avoid that which is evil, and a strict care to embrace and do that which is good.
I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being let me do it now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.
O Lord, help me not to despise or oppose what I do not understand.
A good End cannot sanctifie evil Means; nor must we ever do Evil, that Good may come of it. Some Folks think they may Scold, Rail, Hate, Rob and Kill too; so it be but for God's sake. But nothing in us unlike him, can please him. (537-539)