JOHN LOCKE QUOTES VI

English philosopher (1632-1704)

Moral laws are set as a curb and restraint to these exorbitant desires, which they cannot be but by rewards and punishments, that will over-balance the satisfaction any one shall propose to himself in the breach of the law.

JOHN LOCKE

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding


The only thing we are naturally afraid of is pain, or loss of pleasure. And because these are not annexed to any shape, colour, or size of visible objects, we are frighted of none of them, till either we have felt pain from them, or have notions put into us that they will do us harm.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Tags: fear


To understand political power aright, and derive from it its original, we must consider what estate all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of Nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man.

JOHN LOCKE

Second Treatise of Government


A king that would not feel his crown too heavy for him, must wear it every day, but if he think it too light, he knoweth not of what metal it is made.

JOHN LOCKE

"Of a King", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political

Tags: kings


A sound mind in a sound body, is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Tags: happiness


Merit and good works is the end of man's motion; and conscience of the same is the accomplishment of man's rest; for if a man can be partaker of God's theatre, he shall likewise be partaker of God's rest.

JOHN LOCKE

"Of Great Place", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political


Whosoever will list himself under the banner of Christ, must, in the first place and above all things, make war upon his own lusts and vices. It is in vain for any man to usurp the name of Christian, without holiness of life, purity of manners, benignity and meekness of spirit.

JOHN LOCKE

Letters Concerning Toleration

Tags: Christianity


Knowledge is grateful to the understanding, as light to the eyes.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Tags: understanding


Power to do good is the true and lawful act of aspiring; for good thoughts (though God accept them), yet towards men are little better than good dreams, except they be put in act; and that cannot be without power and place, as the vantage and commanding ground.

JOHN LOCKE

"Of Great Place", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political

Tags: power


The native and untaught suggestions of inquisitive children do often offer things, that may set a considering man's thoughts on work. And I think there is frequently more to be learn'd from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men, who talk in a road, according to the notions they have borrowed, and the prejudices of their education.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Tags: children


Whensoever therefore the legislative shall transgress this fundamental rule of society; and either by ambition, fear, folly or corruption, endeavour to grasp themselves, or put into the hands of any other, an absolute power over the lives, liberties, and estates of the people; by this breach of trust they forfeit the power the people had put into their hands for quite contrary ends, and it devolves to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty, and, by the establishment of a new legislative, (such as they shall think fit) provide for their own safety and security, which is the end for which they are in society.

JOHN LOCKE

Second Treatise of Civil Government

Tags: liberty


We are all a sort of chameleons, that still take a tincture from things near us; nor is it to be wonder'd at in children, who better understand what they see than what they hear.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education


Where danger shews it self, apprehension cannot, without stupidity, be wanting; where danger is, sense of danger should be; and so much fear as should keep us awake, and excite our attention, industry, and vigour; but not to disturb the calm use of our reason, nor hinder the execution of what that dictates.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Tags: danger


It is ambition enough to be employed as an under-labourer in clearing the ground a little, and removing some of the rubbish that lies in the way to knowledge.

JOHN LOCKE

epistle to the reader, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

Tags: knowledge


In the discharge of thy place set before thee the best examples; for imitation is a globe of precepts.

JOHN LOCKE

"Of Great Place", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political

Tags: example


Man 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

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

Tags: thought


Thus parents, by humouring and cockering them when little, corrupt the principles of nature in their children, and wonder afterwards to taste the bitter waters, when they themselves have poison'd the fountain.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education


We are born with faculties and powers capable almost of anything, such at least as would carry us farther than can easily be imagined: but it is only the exercise of those powers, which gives us ability and skill in any thing, and leads us towards perfection.

JOHN LOCKE

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

Tags: perfection


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

JOHN LOCKE

attributed, Many Thoughts of Many Minds

Tags: education


Children have as much mind to show that they are free, that their own good actions come from themselves, that they are absolute and independent, as any of the proudest of you grown men, think of them as you please.

JOHN LOCKE

Some Thoughts Concerning Education

Tags: children