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About this quote

What does it mean?
Penn observes that many people live and die without truly understanding themselves or the world around them.
In plain terms
Many people live their whole lives without knowing themselves or their surroundings.
What can you take from it?
Self-awareness and understanding the world are vital to a meaningful life.

Where it applies

  • personal growth
  • philosophical reflection
  • education

Putting it to work

  • study history
  • reflect on habits
  • engage with culture

Questions to consider

  • What do you know about yourself?
  • How well do you understand your world?

Another view

Some may find contentment in simplicity without deep philosophical inquiry.

More from William Penn

  1. The public must and will be served.

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  2. Children had rather be making of Tools and Instruments of Play; Shaping, Drawing, Framing, and Building, &c. than getting some Rules of Propriety of Speech by …

    Permalink to quote #19
  3. Passion is a sort of fever in the mind, which ever leaves us weaker than it found us.

    Permalink to quote #16

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