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True godliness does not turn men out of the world, but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it.
William Penn
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True godliness helps individuals improve their lives and the world around them rather than withdrawing from it.

The quote by William Penn suggests that genuine spirituality or 'godliness' is not about escaping the challenges of the world or rejecting life’s complexities. Instead, it empowers individuals to engage with the world actively and strive for improvement, both personally and in their communities, inspiring them to contribute positively to society.

Themes

GodlinessServiceImprovementWorldSpirituality

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about community service, one might quote this to inspire volunteers.

More from William Penn

Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
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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.
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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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