Famous quote by William Penn

"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"

About this Quote

William Penn’s statement draws a distinct line between authentic spiritual life and a form of detachment that shuns earthly existence. Genuine godliness, he suggests, is not an escape from the challenges, imperfections, or responsibilities inherent in daily living. Instead, it equips individuals to engage more fully and meaningfully with the world around them, endowing them with the moral and spiritual resources needed to face life’s complexities without withdrawing into isolation or passivity.

Rather than fostering retreat or indifference, true spirituality empowers and animates people to participate actively and constructively within society. It becomes the catalyst for moral action, fostering compassion, diligence, and a sense of duty toward one’s fellow human beings. Penn’s perspective rejects the notion that piety necessitates abandoning worldly pursuits or turning away from worldly suffering. Instead, he sees godliness as the foundation from which positive change and communal engagement arise.

This vision positions the religious or spiritual person not as a recluse, but as a reformer, an agent inspired by a higher purpose to pursue justice, mercy, and improvement in everyday affairs. The world, despite its flaws, is not something to be condemned and abandoned, but a sphere of potential, worthy of human effort and divine concern. Living “better in it” implies a transformation; godliness should be evident in the way one handles relationships, work, and public responsibilities, striving always to uplift and repair the fabric of community life.

Penn’s words challenge any tendency toward insular or self-absorbed forms of devotion, calling instead for a faith that is both practical and reformative. It is a call to action, to labor in the service of others and to contribute to the collective betterment of humanity. Thus, true godliness is measured not in withdrawal, but in engagement, improvement, and the relentless pursuit of making the world a more just and compassionate place.

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William Penn This quote is written / told by William Penn between October 14, 1644 and July 30, 1718. He was a famous Leader from England. The author also have 41 other quotes.
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