Ancient Quote by William Penn
“That which the people called Quakers lay down as a main fundamental in religion is this- That God, through Christ, hath placed a principle in every man, to inform him of his duty, and to enable him to do it; and that those that live up to this principle are the people of God, and those that live in disobedience to it, are not God's people, whatever name they may bear, or profession they may make of religion. This is their ancient, first, and standing testimony: with this they began, and this they bore, and do bear to the world.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: “Some Account of the Society of Friends” by William Penn, 1675
The quote asserts that every person has an inner moral principle given by God through Christ, defining duty and true belonging to God; those who follow it are God's people regardless of religious label.
In simple terms: Everyone has a God‑given moral compass that defines true faith.
Key Takeaway
Align actions with inner moral duty.
Themes
faith
morality
identity
religion
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
theoretical
ethical
When to use this quote
- personal decisionmaking
- community building
- interfaith dialogue
- ethical leadership
Key Concepts
Divine principle
personal conscience
spiritual authenticity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize your inner moral principle?
- Can duty be measured objectively?
A Different Perspective
It may overlook cultural and societal influences on moral development.
![“While I deplored and denounced the incivilities of Quakerism in my day (such as the going naked in public by some at sundry times), my position regarding their religious views was, "They will answer to God, at their own peril, in the great day approaching [that is, the day of divine judgment]."” quote by Roger Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e00/roger-williams-11064_answers_while-i-deplored-and-denounced-the-inciv_2157142.jpg)
