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The 65 Best Famous Sentences of John Locke

The 65 Best Famous Sentences of John Locke

May 5, 2024

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

Finally he would devote himself entirely to political activity, leading the English Whig party of the seventeenth century, promulgating ideas contrary to absolutism, a fact that would clash with the ideas of Hobbes in terms of government. John Locke was the promoter of the separation of powers, of citizenship rights and of religious tolerance.

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The most outstanding phrases of the thinker John Locke

Here we offer you the most famous reflections of the British author.


1. Strength is the protection of the other virtues

You have to be strong to achieve your goals.

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

The laws must protect the citizen and preserve their integrity, according to Locke.

3. Where there is no property there is no justice

Fierce 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 have us controlled

We have to get rid of that which limits us.

6. Man is born free but everywhere is chained

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


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

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

8. One thing is to prove to a man that he is wrong, another is to place him in possession of the truth

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

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

We often adapt according to the scenario where we find ourselves.

10. Thinking furnishes the mind only with knowledge materials; is 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 over the property of a person except herself

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


12. You have to lose half the time to use the other half

Never waste time. 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 streams are bitter, when they poison the source themselves

Critic to the parental figure?

15. The knowledge of no man here can go beyond his experience

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

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

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

17. The government has no other purpose than the preservation of property

It seems that Locke has very clear the concept of property as an identity model.

18. Anyone who wants seriously to search for the 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 with the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must end

Not everything is education. Social elements also influence personality.

20. It is easier to send than to teach

Interesting contribution.

21. There is no foreign doctrine that in this can surpass the own experience

Experience is the last of the states of knowledge.

22. There can be no greater rudeness than interrupting another in the flow of his speech

You have to know how to listen, tolerate and be silent.

23. Frequently there is more to learn from the unexpected questions of children than from the speeches of men

Adults can also learn a lot from children.

24. The ultimate occupation of man is to be happy

Happiness is the goal of every person.

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

The novelty, the breaker 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 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 subject us, other than 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 reach wealth.

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

Politics serves this purpose, that of keeping possessions intact.

32. The power must govern by laws declared and well received

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

33. Everyone is orthodox with respect to himself

Each point of view is a world.

34. By republic I understand constantly any independent community

Independence and freedom, correlated concepts.

35. Our occupation here is not knowing all things, but those that affect our behavior

John Locke had a great interest in human behavior and the reasons for his actions.

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

Art always has to shine the intrigue and mystery.

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

The collective is what advances societies.

38. An excellent man is invariable in every way

Good behavior 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 have to shut up. The easy thing is to keep silent, the brave thing is to express oneself.

40. It is easier to direct than to teach

Giving orders is easier than educating.

41. In all times, it has disturbed humanity not the power in the world, but who should have it

Power is not what corrupts, but the people who show it.

42. I intend not to teach, but to ask

Locke was insatiable to soak up knowledge and wisdom.

43. The purpose of the law is to preserve or extend freedom

The laws always have to go in favor of people, not oppress them.

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

Whoever 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 it

Are not we mistaken 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 can not transfer the power to make laws to 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 the constant pleasure

Believing 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 devotee, and often resorted to theology for his reflections.

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

Sometimes we misinterpret what others want to say.

51. That which is static and repetitive is boring

John Locke was a lover of the diverse and everything that showed novelty (art, music, science))

52. No one can transfer to another more power than it will lock in itself

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

53. God has created man as a sociable animal, under the need to live with beings of his own kind

Interesting comparison that distinguishes us from animals.

54. The only element that has no property, is the freedom of men

Another ode to the freedom of men.

55. Everything about the story is killings and fights

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

56. The rulers are no more than the clients of 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 no matter how different they are.

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

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

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

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

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

Are people lying by nature?

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

All knowledge lies 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 remembered that a life after death awaits us.

63. Personal identity depends on conscience

Consciousness will determine our actions, nothing more.

64. The beasts do not abstract

It 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 consciousness, the mind and our desires. It is the first thing we must protect.


R. City - Locked Away ft. Adam Levine (May 2024).


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