John Locke

John LockeJohn Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the “father of liberalism.”

John Locke Quotes

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

Revolt is the right of the people.

—John Locke

Few men think, yet all will have opinions. Hence men’s opinions are superficial and confused.

—John Locke

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

—John Locke

A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a Happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little better for anything else.

—John Locke

A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a Happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little better for anything else.

—John Locke

The great question which, in all ages, has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of their mischiefs … has been, not whether be power in the world, nor whence it came, but who should have it.

—John Locke

The great question which, in all ages, has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of their mischiefs … has been, not whether be power in the world, nor whence it came, but who should have it.

—John Locke

To prejudge other men’s notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put out our own eyes.

—John Locke

The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It is all pure, all sincere; nothing too much; nothing wanting!

—John Locke

The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its Author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter. It is all pure, all sincere; nothing too much; nothing wanting!

—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

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

Try all things, hold fast that which is good.

—John Locke

There are a thousand ways to Wealth, but only one way to Heaven.

—John Locke

As if when men, quitting the state of Nature, entered into society, they agreed that all of them but one should be under the restraint of laws; but that he should still retain all the liberty of the state of Nature, increased with power.

—John Locke

As if when men, quitting the state of Nature, entered into society, they agreed that all of them but one should be under the restraint of laws; but that he should still retain all the liberty of the state of Nature, increased with power.

—John Locke

God hath woven into the principles of human nature such a tenderness for their off-spring, that there is little fear that parents should use their power with too much rigour.

—John Locke

There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men.

—John Locke

Our Business here is not to know all things, but those which concern our conduct.

—John Locke

All wealth is the product of labor.

—John Locke

Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.

—John Locke

To love truth for truth’s sake is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of all other virtues.

—John Locke

Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins.

—John Locke

The thoughts that come often unsought, and, as it were, drop into the mind, are commonly the most valuable of any we have.

—John Locke

He that judges without informing himself to the utmost that he is capable, cannot acquit himself of judging amiss.

—John Locke

It is one thing to show a man that he is in an error, and another to put him in possession of truth.

—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

The law of faith then, in short, is for every one to believe what God requires him to believe, as a condition of the covenant he makes with him: and not to doubt of the performance of his promises.

—John Locke