50 John Locke Quotes on Government, Natural Rights, and More
Last updated on December 28th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
“John Locke“, by Godfrey Kneller, licensed under CC BY 2.0
John Locke Quotes
Unearth the profound and thought-provoking quotes of John Locke. This section presents a diverse selection of his most impactful quotes, offering insights into human nature, knowledge, education, and the pursuit of truth. Dive into the depths of Locke’s philosophy and experience the enlightenment that his words continue to inspire.
“The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.”
John Locke
(SOURCE: “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” published in 1689)
“Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company, and reflection must finish him.”
John Locke
(SOURCE: “Some Thoughts Concerning Education” published in 1693)
“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.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” published in 1689)
“The discipline of desire is the background of character.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Some Thoughts Concerning Education,” published in 1693)
“Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” published in 1689)
“The great question which, in all ages, has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of their mischiefs … has been, not whether be power in the world, nor whence it came, but who should have it.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“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
(Source: “Some Thoughts Concerning Education,” published in 1693)
“All wealth is the product of labor.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“Liberty is to be free from restraint and violence from others; which cannot be where there is no law: and is not, as we are told, a liberty for every man to do what he lists.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Some Thoughts Concerning Education,” published in 1693)
“New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” published in 1689)
“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom. For in all the states of created beings capable of law, where there is no law, there is no freedom.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
John Locke Quotes on Government
Explore John Locke’s enlightening quotes on government and political authority. From his emphasis on consent as the foundation of legitimate governance to his revolutionary ideas about the rights and liberties of individuals, these quotes provide a compelling glimpse into Locke’s vision of a just and accountable system of government.
“Government has no other end than the preservation of property.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“Men being… by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The power of the legislative, being derived from the people by a positive voluntary grant and institution, can be no other than what that positive grant conveyed.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The only way wherein the private persons have a right to complain of the default of the government… is when they conceive themselves injured by the exercise of such a power which they never put into the hands of the government.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “A Letter Concerning Toleration,” published in 1689)
“Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The people are not obliged to submit to a government that does not protect their fundamental rights.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The power of the executive is to be employed for the protection of the property and liberty of the people.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The legislative cannot transfer the power of making laws to any other hands. For it being but a delegated power from the people, they who have it cannot pass it over to others.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
John Locke Famous Quotes
Discover the enduring words that have made John Locke an iconic figure in the realm of philosophy. This section highlights his famous quotes on various subjects, including liberty, equality, tolerance, and the power of reason. Be captivated by the timeless wisdom that has resonated through the centuries and influenced the trajectory of human thought.
“The only way of knowing a person is to love them without hope.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Letters Concerning Toleration” published in 1689)
“Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Thoughts Concerning Education” published in 1693)
“All mankind… being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government” published in 1689)
“I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Some Thoughts Concerning Education” published in 1693)
“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government” published in 1689)
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: Attributed to Locke)
“Man is not born free, but everywhere he is in chains.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “The Second Treatise of Government” published in 1689)
“The Bible is one of the greatest blessings bestowed by God on the children of men. It has God for its author; salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture for its matter.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: Attributed to Locke)
“No man’s knowledge here can go beyond his experience.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” published in 1690)
“Till a man can judge whether they be truths or not, his understanding is but little improved, and thus men of much reading, though greatly learned, but may be little knowing.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” published in 1690)
“The business of education is not to make the young perfect in any one of the sciences, but so to open and dispose their minds as may best make them capable of any, when they shall apply themselves to it.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Some Thoughts Concerning Education” published in 1693)
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: Attributed to Locke)
John Locke Quotes on Natural Rights
Unveil the essence of John Locke’s philosophy on natural rights through his powerful quotes. Delve into his exploration of the fundamental rights inherent to all individuals, such as life, liberty, and property. These quotes illuminate Locke’s belief in the importance of protecting and respecting the inherent dignity and freedoms of every human being.
“The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“All men by nature are equal in that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The natural liberty of man is to be free from any superior power on Earth, and not to be under the will or legislative authority of man, but only to have the law of nature for his rule.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The power of the legislative, being derived from the people by a positive voluntary grant and institution, can be no other than what that positive grant conveyed.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The natural liberty of man is to be free from any restraint, except the law of nature.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The natural liberty of man is to be free from any civil restraint, where it does not interfere with the natural rights of others.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“The legislative cannot transfer the power of making laws to any other hands. For it being but a delegated power from the people, they who have it cannot pass it over to others.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
“Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The people are not obliged to submit to a government that does not protect their fundamental rights.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Two Treatises of Government,” published in 1689)
“The end of government is the good of mankind.”
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
JOHN LOCKE
(Source: “Second Treatise of Government,” published in 1689)
Embark on a journey of intellectual discovery with the inspiring quotes of John Locke. As you engage with his perspectives on government, natural rights, and other profound subjects, you will gain a deeper understanding of the principles that continue to shape our societies and influence our collective quest for freedom, justice, and enlightenment. Allow the timeless wisdom of John Locke to ignite your own pursuit of knowledge and inspire positive change in the world.
Nitesh Kucchal
Nitesh Kuchhal, an IIM Calcutta graduate, is more than an educator—he's a mentor. With a passion for leadership and entrepreneurship, and travel. He has explored over 20 countries. Beyond teaching, he dives into psychology and discusses social issues. Though he is not a history expert, he enjoys learning about it through books, adding a historical touch to his many interests.
