Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
Peace can only be secured by justice; never by force of arms.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True peace can only be achieved through fairness and justice, rather than through violence or military power.
William Penn's quote emphasizes the fundamental idea that lasting peace is rooted in justice. Using force or military might may temporarily suppress conflict, but it does not create genuine harmony among people. Instead, when justice is established and upheld, it paves the way for a deeper and more sustainable peace that resonates within society. This perspective suggests that moral and ethical considerations should guide our actions towards resolving disputes and fostering understanding, rather than relying on aggression as a means to achieve security.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a speech about conflict resolution.
More from William Penn
All quotes βWhere thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
Man, being made reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the public, and his own present and future benefit in all respects.
Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
Similar quotes
ATHENA: There are two sides to this dispute. I've heard only one half the argument. (...) So you two parties, summon your witnesses, set out your proofs, with sworn evidence to back your stories. Once I've picked the finest men in Athens, I'll return. They'll rule fairly in this case, bound by a sworn oath to act with justice.
Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?
My life amounts to no more than one drop in a limitless ocean. Yet what is any ocean, but a multitude of drops?
A man is as unhappy as he has convinced himself he is.
I have found that no exertion of the legs can bring two minds much nearer to one another.
When life takes away, something of greater value is always given in return.