John Locke quotes

John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His theories about government and human rights shaped the development of liberal democracy. He is often called the "Father of Liberalism" for his enduring impact on political philosophy. Here are 209 of his quotes:

It is easier for a tutor to command than to teach. (John Locke)
Logic is the anatomy of thought. View quote
John Locke
I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts. View quote
John Locke
No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience. View quote
John Locke
The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it. View quote
John Locke
It is one thing to show a man that he is in an error, and another to put him in possession of the truth. View quote
John Locke
All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions. View quote
John Locke
There cannot be greater rudeness than to interrupt another in the current of his discourse. View quote
John Locke
A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world. View quote
John Locke
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours. View quote
John Locke
All men are liable to error; and most men are, in many points, by passion or interest, under temptation to it. (John Locke)
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without anyother reason but because they are not already common. View quote
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. View quote
John Locke
What worries you, masters you. View quote
John Locke
Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins. View quote
John Locke
Good and evil, reward and punishment, are the only motives to a rational creature these are the spur and reins whereby all mankind are set on work, and guided. View quote
John Locke
There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men. View quote
John Locke
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. View quote
John Locke
All wealth is the product of labor. View quote
John Locke
Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain. View quote
John Locke
Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him. (John Locke)
The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property. View quote
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. View quote
John Locke
But there is only one thing which gathers people into seditious commotion, and that is oppression. View quote
John Locke
The chief art of learning is to attempt but a little at a time. View quote
John Locke

John Locke

John Locke - Image
Occupation: English Philosopher
Born: August 29, 1632
Died: October 28, 1704
Quotes count: 209
Wikipedia: John Locke

Related authors

Thomas Hobbes - thumbnail
Thomas Hobbes  131 
English Philosopher
Jean-Jacques Rousseau - thumbnail
Jean-Jacques Rousseau  209 
French Philosopher
Montesquieu - thumbnail
Montesquieu  93 
French Philosopher
David Hume - thumbnail
David Hume  193 
Scottish Philosopher
Voltaire - thumbnail
Voltaire  405 
French Writer
René Descartes - thumbnail
René Descartes  93 
French Philosopher
Adam Smith - thumbnail
Adam Smith  232 
Scottish Economist
Immanuel Kant - thumbnail
Immanuel Kant  250 
German Philosopher
George Berkeley - thumbnail
George Berkeley  47 
Irish Philosopher
Francis Bacon - thumbnail
Francis Bacon  522 
English Philosopher