There's a popular Quaker anecdote in the OP which is worth quoting in full: "Many years ago, when William Penn converted to Quakerism and pacifism, he was trou

There's a popular Quaker anecdote in the OP which is worth quoting in full: "Many years ago, when William Penn converted to Quakerism and pacifism, he was troubled by the thought of having to give up the sword that he wore, a great honor at the time. He asked George Fox, the founder of Quakerism, what he should do. Fox told him, 'William, wear thy sword as long as thee can.'" It's ultimately the choice of each individual to determine when they can no longer bear their sword.