The 65 best famous quotes by John Locke

Great thoughts from one of the most prominent philosophers of the 17th century.

John Locke (1632 - 1704) was a multifaceted English intellectual character, where he served as a scientist, professor and doctor, passing through politician, philosopher and scholar of ancient Greek, he is considered the father of Western liberalism.

Finally, he would devote himself entirely to political activity, heading the English Whig party of the 17th century, promulgating ideas contrary to absolutism, a fact that would cause him to clash with Hobbes' ideas on government. John Locke was a promoter of the separation of powers, citizens' rights and religious tolerance.

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The most outstanding phrases of the thinker John Locke

Here are the most famous reflections of the British author.

1. Strength is the protection of the other virtues.

One has to be strong to achieve one's goals.

2. Laws were made for men and not men for laws.

Laws should protect the citizen and preserve his integrity, according to Locke.

3. Where there is no property there is no justice

Strong defender of property, both private and public.

4. Human actions are the interpreters of our thoughts.

We are what we do and not how or what we think.

5. Everything that worries us will control us.

We must let go of that which limits us.

6. Man is born free but everywhere he is in chains.

In his time, citizens had few rights in their own countries.

7. Human happiness is a disposition of the mind, not a condition of circumstance.

Being happy depends on individual psychology, not on what surrounds us.

8. It is one thing to prove a man wrong, it is another to place him in possession of the truth.

It is very difficult to change the minds of others, to convince them of other ideas.

9. People are chameleons, our tone and the color of our character molds to those who are around us.

We often adapt ourselves according to the scenario in which we find ourselves.

10. Thinking furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is by thinking that we do what we read our

Interesting reflection of John Locke that instigates us to think deeply.

11. No one has a right to a person's property except himself.

Men are free and no one can deprive them of it.

12. Half of the time must be wasted in order to use the other half.

Time is never wasted. Things will be done one way or another, but it is always a useful experience.

13. Knowledge is the only defense against the dangerous world.

John Locke gave this importance to the intellect.

14. Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves poison the source.

Criticism of the parental figure?

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

Experience is not only a degree, but it is the whole that shapes people.

16. A sound mind in a sound body is what completes a happy state in this world.

The sum of both elements will make us happy. They are dependent variables.

17. Government has no other end than the preservation of property.

Locke seems to be very clear about the concept of property as a model of identity.

18. He who earnestly desires to dispose himself to the search for truth, must prepare his mind to love it.

It is not easy to want to know the truth. Sometimes, we prefer to be in ignorance.

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

Not everything is education. Social elements also influence the personality.

20. It is easier to command than to teach

Interesting contribution.

21. There is no foreign doctrine that can surpass one's own experience in this.

Experience is the last of the states of knowledge.

22. There can be no greater rudeness than to interrupt another in the flow of his discourse.

It is necessary to know how to listen, to tolerate and to know how to be silent.

23. Often there is more to be learned from the unexpected questions of children than from the speeches of men.

Adults can also learn a lot from children.

24. Man's ultimate occupation is to be happy

Happiness is the goal of every person.

25. New opinions are always suspect, and are usually rejected.

What is new, what is groundbreaking, always causes discomfort.

26. Protest is the right of the people

John Locke was very clear about individual rights for the betterment of society.

27. The ancients left much to the industry and sagacity of the time to come.

The past is part of the present and future.

28. The reason why men enter into society is to preserve their property.

Property is an essential element for the existence and goals of people, according to John Locke.

29. We are born free and no power on earth can bind us except by our own consent.

Freedom has to be understood in all its senses, physical or psychological.

30. All wealth is the product of work

Work is the tool to attain wealth.

31. The end of political men is the preservation of their property.

Politics serves this end, that of keeping possessions intact.

32. Power must govern by declared and well-received laws.

Without the consent of the subjects no legislation should be valid.

33. Everyone is orthodox with respect to himself.

Every point of view is a world.

34. By republic I constantly understand any independent community

Independence and liberty, correlated concepts.

35. Our occupation here is not to know all things, but those things which affect our conduct.

John Locke had a great interest in human behavior and the why of his actions.

36. That which is dynamic and random is confusing. In the middle lies art

Art always has to bring out intrigue and mystery.

37. If we all walk the same step, then the path appears.

The collective is what moves societies forward.

38. An excellent man is invariable in every way

Good conduct has to occur in all areas, both personal and social.

39. How long have you had those words in your head waiting to be able to say them?

Never be silent. It is easy to be silent, the brave thing is to express yourself.

40. It is easier to direct than to teach

Giving orders is easier than educating.

41. In all ages, mankind has been disturbed not by the power in the world, but by who should have it.

It is not power that corrupts, but the people who hold it.

42. I intend not to teach, but to ask

Locke was insatiable to imbibe knowledge and wisdom.

43. The end of the law is to preserve or extend liberty.

Laws must always be in favor of the people, not oppress them.

44. The villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying.

He who has a bad conscience will never be useful in this world.

45. All men are prone to make mistakes; and most under the temptation to do so.

Do we not err on purpose?

46. I can confess that external and internal sensation are the only passages I can find from knowledge to understanding.

Knowing is not the same as understanding.

47. The legislature cannot transfer the power of making laws into other hands.

The legislative power must be independent of any other political entity.

48. The hope of an eternal and incomprehensible happiness in another world is something that also carries with it constant pleasure.

Belief in another happy life is what motivates many people to belong to a creed (religion).

48. Being all equal no one should harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.

For Locke all citizens are equal before the law, the basis of Western Liberalism.

49. God has endowed men with language to be the great instrument and common bond of society.

The English author was a devout man, and often turned to theology for his reflections.

50. We would have fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, signs of our ideas alone.

Sometimes we misunderstand what others mean.

51. That which is static and repetitive is boring.

John Locke was a lover of all that was varied and of everything that showed novelty (art, music, science).

52. No one can transfer to another more power than he has within himself.

The power of each one resides in himself, not in others.

53. God has created the man as a sociable animal, under the necessity to coexist with the beings of his own species.

Interesting comparison that distinguishes us from the animals.

54. The only element that does not have property, is the freedom of man.

Another ode to the freedom of men.

55. Everything about history is killing and fighting.

Here he launches a harsh criticism of the field of history.

56. The rulers are nothing but the clients of their fellow citizens

Political representatives serve the people, not the people serve them.

57. It is with tolerance that great collective milestones are achieved.

The basis of his political theories was based on tolerance, on understanding others, however different they may be.

58. The head and knowledge is the only thing that makes us men.

For Locke, force or violence were not a sign of virility.

59. The teacher must teach the pupil to love and appreciate knowledge.

The difficult task of teaching, which often fails in its attempt to transmit knowledge.

60. We are always more inclined to lie than to tell the truth.

Are people by nature liars?

61. There is nothing in the intellect that was not previously in the senses.

All knowledge resides in the impetus of the human being to know and develop.

62. There is only one way to heaven

For John Locke religion was an important part of society, and he often reminded us that an afterlife awaits us.

63. Personal identity depends on conscience

Conscience will determine our actions, nothing else.

64. Beasts do not abstract

This is what differentiates us from wild animals.

65. If we let others control our thoughts, we will never control our destiny.

Freedom begins in the conscience, the mind and our desires. It is the first thing we must protect.