Quotes by John Locke

About John Locke:

John Locke is equally important to social contract theory. His work greatly affected the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Rousseau, many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American revolutionaries. His contributions to classical republicanism and liberal theory are reflected in the United States Declaration of Independence.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

One unerring mark of the love of truth is not entertaining any proposition with greater assurance than the proofs it is built upon will warrant.

John Locke

For where is the man that has incontestable evidence of the truth of all that he holds, or of the falsehood of all he condemns; or can say that he has examined to the bottom all his own, or other men's opinions? The necessity of believing without kno...

John Locke

It is therefore worthwhile, to search out the bounds between opinion and knowledge; and examine by what measures, in things, whereof we have no certain knowledge, we ought to regulate our assent, and moderate our persuasions.

John Locke

[M]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out of the common road.

John Locke

Liberty is not an Idea belonging to Volition, or preferring; but to the Person having the Power of doing, or forbearing to do, according as the Mind shall chuse or direct.

John Locke

To love our neighbor as ourselves is such a truth for regulating human society, that by that alone one might determine all the cases in social morality.

John Locke

The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.

John Locke

Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.

John Locke

Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.

John Locke

...but since He gave it them for their benefit and the greatest conveniences of life they were capable to draw form it, it cannot be supposed He meant it should always remain common and uncultivated. He gave it to the use of the industrious and ratio...

John Locke

What worries you, masters you.

John Locke

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.

John Locke

So that, in effect, religion, which should most distinguish us from beasts, and ought most peculiarly to elevate us, as rational creatures, above brutes, is that wherein men often appear most irrational, and more senseless than beasts themselves.

John Locke

No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience.

John Locke

The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom.

John Locke

Things of this world are in so constant a flux, that nothing remains long in the same state.

John Locke

Government has no other end, but the preservation of property.

John Locke

All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.

John Locke

Reverie is when ideas float in our mind without reflection or regard of the understanding.

John Locke

Where all is but dream, reasoning and arguments are of no use, truth and knowledge nothing.

John Locke

Author Bio

  • NameJohn Locke
  • DescriptionEnglish philosopher and physician
  • BornAugust 29, 1632
  • DiedOctober 28, 1704
  • CountryEngland
  • ProfessionPhilosopher; Economist
  • AwardsFellow Of The Royal Society