William Penn (1644-1718)

William Penn was an English writer, theologian, religious thinker, and influential Quaker who founded the Province of Pennsylvania. An advocate of democracy and religious freedom, Penn was known for his amicable relations and successful treaties with the Lenape native peoples who had resided in present-day Pennsylvania prior to European colonisation there.

Quotes

If men will not be governed by God, they will be ruled by tyrants.
Let the people think they govern, and they will be governed.
A good End cannot sanctifie evil Means; nor must we ever do Evil, that Good may come of it.
True silence is the rest of the mind; it is to the spirit what sleep is to the body, nourishment and refreshment.

Silence
Never marry but for love; but see that thou lovest what is lovely.

Love, Marriage
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.

Language, Speech
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.
No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.
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.
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.
Men are generally more careful of the breed of their horses and dogs than of their children.
Truth often suffers more by the heat of its defenders, than from the arguments of its opposers.