The 65 best famous phrases of John Locke

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

He would eventually devote himself entirely to political activity, leading the 17th century English Whig party, promulgating ideas contrary to absolutism, a fact that would make him collide with Hobbes's ideas regarding government. John Locke was a promoter of the separation of powers, citizenship rights and religious tolerance.

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The most outstanding phrases of the thinker John Locke

Below 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

Laws must protect the citizen and preserve his integrity, according to Locke.

3. Where there is no property there is no justice

Strong 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 must detach ourselves from what limits us.

6. Man is born free but everywhere he is chained

In his day, few rights citizens had 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. It is one thing to show a man that he is wrong, it is another to place him in possession of the truth.

It is very difficult to make others change their minds, to convince them of other ideas.

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

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

10. Thinking furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; he is thinking that we do what we read our

Interesting reflection by John Locke that encourages us to think deeply.

11. No one has a right to a person's property except himself

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

12. You have to waste half the time to be able to use the other half

Time is never wasted. Things will get done one way or another, but it is always a useful experience.

13. Knowledge is the only defense against the dangerous world

John Locke attached this importance to the intellect.

14. Parents wonder why streams are bitter, when they themselves poison the source

Criticism of 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 makes people up.

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 is very clear about the concept of property as a model of identity.

18. Whoever seriously wants to be in search of the truth, he 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 it

Not everything is education. Social elements also influence personality.

20. It's easier to command than to teach

Interesting contribution.

21. There is no foreign doctrine that in this can surpass one's own experience

Experience is the last of the states of knowledge.

22. There can be no greater rudeness than to interrupt another in the stream of his speech

You have to know how to listen, tolerate and know how to keep quiet.

23. There is often more to learn from children's unexpected questions than from men's speeches

Adults can learn a lot from children too.

24. The ultimate occupation of man is to be happy

Happiness is the goal of every person.

25. New reviews are always suspicious, and are usually rejected

The novel, the groundbreaking 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 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 hold 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 get to wealth.

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

Politics serves this purpose, that of keeping possessions intact.

32. Power must govern by well-received and declared laws

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 constantly mean any independent community

Independence and freedom, correlated concepts.

35. Our occupation here is not to know 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 art

Art always tends to bring out intrigue and mystery.

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

The collective is what makes societies advance.

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 say them?

You never have to shut up. The easy thing is to be silent, the brave thing is to express yourself

40. It is easier to lead than to teach

Giving orders is easier than educating.

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

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

42. I pretend not to teach, but to ask

Locke was insatiable in soaking up knowledge and wisdom.

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

Laws always have to go in favor of the people, not oppress them.

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

Whoever has a bad conscience will never be useful in this world.

45. All men are prone to mistakes; and most under the temptation to do so

Weren't we wrong on purpose?

46. I can confess that the external and internal sensation are the only passages that I can find from knowledge to understanding.

Knowing is not the same as understanding.

47. The legislature cannot 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 constant pleasure

Believing in another happy life is what motivates many people to belong to a creed (religion).

48. As they are all equal, no one should harm another in their life, health, freedom 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 he often turned to theology for his reflections.

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

Sometimes we misunderstand what others mean.

51. That which is static and repetitive is boring

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

52. No one can transfer more power to another than they hold within themselves

The power of each one resides in himself, not in the others.

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

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 criticism of the field of history.

56. The rulers are nothing more than the clients of their 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 were based on tolerance, on understanding others no matter how different they may be.

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

For Locke, force or violence were no 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 liars by nature?

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

All knowledge resides in the human being's impetus 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 reminded us that a life after death awaits us.

63. Personal identity depends on conscience

Consciousness will determine our actions, nothing else.

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