Some Fruits of SolitudeWise Sayings on the Conduct of Human Life by William Penn |
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As a Quaker preacher, minister, and missionary in the late seventeenth century, William Penn was imprisoned for his faith many times. After being falsely accused of treason, Penn was forced into hiding. During those three years of imposed solitude, he had time to think, reflect, and reevaluate. This book is the product of that solitude. In it, Penn distills the essence of his spiritual idealism, combining it with practicality and common sense.
Translated into today’s English by Eric K. Taylor, Penn’s wisdom is even more accessible to the contemporary reader. In this new edition, Penn’s voice can once again be heard in its simplicity and timelessness—sharing his fruits of solitude.
"I can hardly wish you anything better than seriously considering what you do with your time. Using time well is the greatest wisdom and work of life." —William Penn
About the Author
William Penn, born in 1644 to an English Admiral, embraced the Quaker faith while in his early twenties. Penn spent his life preaching and writing for the Quaker cause, working for freedom and toleration in the areas of faith and conscience, and establishing Pennsylvania as a refuge for the persecuted and oppressed.
About the Editor
Eric K. Taylor works as a technical writer and teaches English as a Second Language (ESL). His first book, a teacher resource on using folktales for language teaching, was published by Cambridge University Press in 2000.