Portrait of John Locke

John Locke

Empiricism, natural rights

Early Modern influential 115 sayings

Sayings by John Locke

The end of government is the good of mankind.

1689 — Two Treatises of Government
Political Unverifiable

The greatest part of mankind are more influenced by example than by precept.

1693 — Some Thoughts Concerning Education
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

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.

1706 (posthumous) — Of the Conduct of the Understanding
Love & Relationships Unverifiable

The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men.

1707 (posthumous) — Preface to 'A Paraphrase and Notes on the Epistles of St Paul'
Biblical Unverifiable

It is ambition enough to be employed in the search of truth, without minding what follows.

1689 — An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Wisdom Unverifiable

Government has no other end but the preservation of property.

1689 — Two Treatises of Government
Political Unverifiable

He who would make his son a good man, must begin betimes with him, and set him to rights, whilst he is flexible, and his mind is easy to be wrought upon.

1693 — Some Thoughts Concerning Education
Justice & Rights Unverifiable

The common people are not always to be trusted.

1675 — Letter to Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury
Wisdom Unverifiable

The knowledge of man's self is the beginning of all wisdom.

1706 (posthumous) — Of the Conduct of the Understanding
Educational Unverifiable

I have always thought that there is a good deal of cant in the common talk about the advantages of poverty.

1697 — Letter to Benjamin Furly
Money & Business Unverifiable

The right of judging, that is, of determining all matters of controversy between subjects, whether they concern the interpretation of laws, or the examination of facts, belongs to the magistrate.

1689 — A Letter Concerning Toleration
Wisdom Unverifiable

The care of our souls is not committed to the civil magistrate, any more than to other men.

1689 — A Letter Concerning Toleration
Biblical Unverifiable

The thoughts of a child are of so little consequence to the world, that it is no matter how incoherent they are.

1689 — An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Wisdom Unverifiable

He that will not apply new remedies must expect new evils; for time is the greatest innovator.

1689 — Two Treatises of Government
Life & Death Unverifiable

The commonwealth of learning is not at this time without a great many worthy members.

1692 — Letter to Thomas Molyneux
Educational Unverifiable

It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.

1706 (posthumous) — Of the Conduct of the Understanding
Wisdom Unverifiable

The greatest part of our knowledge is founded on observation and experience.

1689 — An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Educational Unverifiable

The study of the original of our own ideas is, I confess, a dry and barren speculation.

1689 — An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Educational Unverifiable

There is no such thing as an innate idea.

1689 — An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Wisdom Unverifiable

The mind receives a great variety of impressions, and is capable of an infinite variety of thoughts.

1689 — An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Wisdom Unverifiable
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