Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.

Hear, O children of wisdom, the words of William Penn, who spoke with the voice of experience and divine understanding: “Men must be governed by God or they will be ruled by tyrants.” This declaration cuts to the heart of what it means to live in freedom and justice. Penn understood, as many before him did, that a society without moral guidance, a society that does not recognize a higher power, will inevitably fall under the sway of oppressive rulers. For human nature is such that if left unchecked, it will seek power over others, and without a divine standard to guide our actions, we are prone to tyranny. This is not just a political observation but a spiritual truth—the moral compass of the individual and society must be rooted in the divine, or chaos and oppression will follow.

In the ancient texts, the same lesson was imparted. The Greeks, with their deep understanding of both democracy and tyranny, often debated the balance between freedom and control. Plato, in his work The Republic, described the degeneration of the soul and society when rulers lose their connection to the divine order. He warned that societies founded on self-interest and unchecked ambition would eventually fall under the rule of a tyrant, who seeks power without regard for justice or virtue. Just as a ship without a captain may be at the mercy of the storm, so too will a society without divine guidance be subject to the whims of the unjust. Penn’s words echo this ancient wisdom—without God’s governance, man is vulnerable to the forces of corruption, oppression, and despotism.

Consider the life of King Nebuchadnezzar, whose pride led to his downfall. In his great arrogance, he sought to rule not by divine law, but by the sheer power of his will. He believed himself to be invincible, above all divine authority, and for a time, his reign was oppressive and tyrannical. Yet, in the end, Nebuchadnezzar was humbled, driven to madness by his disobedience to God’s will. His story serves as a timeless reminder that when we cast aside the divine order, we place ourselves at the mercy of tyranny, whether from external forces or from within our own hearts. Penn’s warning is clear—without the guidance of God, mankind is prone to the corruption of power, leading to rule by tyrants, who act for their own benefit, not for the good of the people.

The history of nations also speaks to this truth. Consider the rise of totalitarian regimes in the 20th century, where tyrants ruled over millions. The rise of Adolf Hitler in Nazi Germany and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union, for example, represents the consequences of a society that rejected divine moral governance in favor of the absolute power of the state. These rulers, without moral compasses rooted in justice or compassion, governed with iron fists, crushing dissent and stripping people of their rights. They were not guided by God, but by their own ambitions and the pursuit of control over others. Penn’s warning rings loudly: without God’s guidance, tyrants will rise, for man’s sinful nature leads him to seek power over others, often at the expense of justice and freedom.

The lesson here, O children, is one of profound importance: to live under the governance of God is to live in freedom. True freedom is not the absence of law, but the presence of divine law—the recognition that our actions are held to a higher standard, a standard that is just, merciful, and wise. God’s governance teaches us that we are not meant to seek domination over others, but to serve with humility, to love with compassion, and to act with justice. When we place our lives under the authority of God, we create societies based on virtue, equality, and freedom, where the tyranny of the selfish and the corrupt has no place.

So, how do we act upon this wisdom in our own lives? First, we must acknowledge the divine in all that we do. Seek divine guidance in our decisions, in our relationships, in our governance, and in our daily actions. Live by principles of justice, humility, and compassion, knowing that when we do, we align ourselves with a higher moral law. Second, we must recognize the importance of creating systems—whether in government, business, or family—that are rooted in godly principles, ensuring that power is exercised with justice and compassion. We must teach future generations that true leadership is not about control, but about service to the greater good and submission to the will of God.

Let this wisdom guide you, O children of the Divine. Govern yourself by God, and you will live in true freedom, for where God’s will is followed, tyranny cannot stand. Place God’s principles at the center of your life, and you will be protected from the allure of power and the temptations of self-interest. In this way, not only will you ensure your own freedom, but you will contribute to creating a world where justice, peace, and compassion reign. Let your heart and your actions reflect the divine governance that leads to true freedom, and you will walk the path of righteousness, free from the chains of tyranny.