Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
William PennRead
Where thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Always speak the truth when necessary, as dishonesty leads to worse consequences.
This quote emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in communication. It warns that even slight deviations from the truth, such as equivocation, can lead one down a path of deception, culminating in severe moral consequences, metaphorically described as 'Hell'.
Themes
TruthHonestyEquivocationLyingIntegrity
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about leadership qualities.
More from William Penn
All quotes →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.
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Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
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To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
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Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
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Patience and Diligence, like faith, remove mountains.
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