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About this quote

What does it mean?
Penn views government as a sacred institution that is intrinsically linked to religious purpose.
In plain terms
Government is part of religion and should be treated with respect.
What can you take from it?
Treat government institutions with the same care as religious ones.

Where it applies

  • political engagement
  • civic duty
  • ethical governance

Putting it to work

  • respect institutions
  • align politics with ethics
  • serve community

Questions to consider

  • Is government sacred to you?
  • How should ethics shape policy?

Another view

Linking government and religion can lead to conflicts of interest.

More from William Penn

  1. Much reading is an oppression of the mind, and extinguishes the natural candle, which is the reason of so many senseless scholars in the world.

    Permalink to quote #32
  2. Hasty resolutions are of the nature of vows, and to be equally avoided.

    Permalink to quote #34
  3. Be humble. It becomes a creature, a depending and borrowed being, that lives not of itself, but breathes in another's air with another's breath, and is account…

    Permalink to quote #31

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