Quotes & anectdotes from
the wise,
the foolish,
the courageous &
the drunk

William Penn Author

  • Gender: Male
  • Citizenship: United States
  • Born: Oct 14, 1644
  • Died: Jul 30, 1718

William Penn was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, early Quaker and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early advocate of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful treaties with the Lenape Indians. Under his direction, the city of Philadelphia was planned and developed.

In 1681, King Charles II handed over a large piece of his American land holdings to William Penn to satisfy a debt the king owed to Penn's father. This land included present-day Pennsylvania and Delaware. Penn immediately sailed to America and his first step on American soil took place in New Castle in 1682. On this occasion, the colonists pledged allegiance to Penn as their new proprietor, and the first general assembly was held in the colony. Afterwards, Penn journeyed up river and founded Philadelphia. However, Penn's Quaker government was not viewed favourably by the Dutch, Swedish, and English settlers in what is now Delaware. They had no "historical" allegiance to Pennsylvania, so they almost immediately began petitioning for their own assembly.

Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders than the arguments of its opposers.

Humility and knowledge in poor clothes excel pride and ignorance in costly attire.

For death is no more than a turning of us over from time to eternity.

Rarely promise, but, if lawful, constantly perform.

Knowledge is the treasure of a wise man.

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

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

The tallest Trees are most in the Power of the Winds, and Ambitious Men of the Blasts of Fortune.

Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.

True silence is the rest of the mind, and is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.

Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.

The jealous are troublesome to others, but a torment to themselves.

Some are so very studious of learning what was done by the ancients that they know not how to live with the moderns.

Only trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee.