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
If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him. Those who will not be governed by God will be ruled by tyrants.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True leadership comes from being guided by divine principles; those who reject this guidance risk falling under oppressive rule.
In this quote, William Penn emphasizes the moral obligation of leaders to be influenced by Godβs will in order to lead justly and effectively. He warns that without such spiritual guidance, individuals may find themselves under the control of tyrants, reflecting the importance of ethical and principled leadership in maintaining freedom and justice.
Themes
LeadershipDivine GuidanceTyrannyMoralityPower
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech to aspiring leaders at a conference on ethical leadership.
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.
William PennRead
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.
William PennRead
Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
William PennRead
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
William PennRead
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
William PennRead
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