John Locke was born in 1632 in Somerset, England is originally a British philosopher. His book, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” was published in 1689, and he became known as the father of modern Western philosophy.
His argument that people have natural rights —that they are born with them and can never be lost— has profound political and economic implications that have been debated for centuries.
Locke is most famous for his theory that all men are born with certain rights, including life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness. He also argued against social contract theory, which says we’re born into society through a set of implicit or explicit agreements among our fellow citizens.
He was one of the most influential and widely read philosophers of all time; Locke’s ideas have been applied to a broad range of disciplines across history and society.
Here we have compiled a list of his most inspiring quotes that will help you think without prejudice.
33 Inspirational John Locke Quotes To Become More Tolerant
1. “What worries you, masters you.” ― John Locke
2. “I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.” ― John Locke
3. “The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.” ― John Locke
4. “Fashion, for the most part, is nothing but the ostentation of riches.” ― John Locke
5. “The visible mark of extraordinary wisdom and power appear so plainly in all the works of creation.” ― John Locke
6. “Practice conquers the habit of doing, without reflecting on the rule.” ― John Locke
7. “There are a thousand ways to wealth, but only one way to Heaven.” ― John Locke
8. “Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.” ― John Locke
9. “Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.” ― John Locke
10. “We are born to be if we please, rational creatures, but it is use and exercise only that makes us so.” ― John Locke
11. “It is easier for a tutor to command than to teach.” ― John Locke
12. “Our business here is not to know all things, but those which concern our conduct.” ― John Locke
13. “The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.” ― John Locke
14. “Man hath by nature a power to preserve his property – that is, his life, liberty, and estate – against the injuries and attempts of other men.” ― John Locke
15. “Where there is no property there is no injustice.” ― John Locke
16. “All mankind, being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” ― John Locke
17. “The discipline of desire is the background of character.” ― John Locke
18. “There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men.” ― John Locke
19. “Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.” ― John Locke
20. “I have no reason to suppose that he, who would take away my liberty, would not when he had me in his power, take away everything else.” ― John Locke
21. “Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company, and reflection must finish him.” ― John Locke
22. “The dread of evil is a much more forcible principle of human actions than the prospect of good.” ― John Locke
23. “The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.”– John Locke
24. “No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.” ― John Locke
25. “Who are we to tell anyone what they can or can’t do?” – John Locke
26. “All wealth is the product of labor.” ― John Locke
27. “Nature never makes excellent things for mean or no uses.” ― John Locke
28. “All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it.” ― John Locke
29. “It is one thing to show a man that he is in an error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.” ― John Locke
30. “Liberty is to be free from restraint and violence from others.” ― John Locke
31. “Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip.” ― John Locke
32. “Where all is but dream, reasoning and arguments are of no use, truth, and knowledge nothing.” ― John Locke
33. “Practice conquers the habit of doing, without reflecting on the rule.” ― John Locke
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