John Locke's Quotes

There cannot be greater rudeness than to interrupt another in the current of his discourse.

A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full description of a happy state in this World: he that has these two, has little more to wish for; and he that wants either of them, will be little the better for anything else.

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

The discipline of desire is the background of character.

The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.

The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.

The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property.

Reverie is when ideas float in our mind without reflection or regard of the understanding.

We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves.

It is easier for a tutor to command than to teach.

One unerring mark of the love of truth is not entertaining any proposition with greater assurance than the proofs it is built upon will warrant.

Things of this world are in so constant a flux, that nothing remains long in the same state.

Where all is but dream, reasoning and arguments are of no use, truth and knowledge nothing.

Any one reflecting upon the thought he has of the delight, which any present or absent thing is apt to produce in him, has the idea we call love.

Fashion for the most part is nothing but the ostentation of riches.

To love our neighbor as ourselves is such a truth for regulating human society, that by that alone one might determine all the cases in social morality.

Our deeds disguise us. People need endless time to try on their deeds, until each knows the proper deeds for him to do. But every day, every hour, rushes by. There is no time.

I attribute the little I know to my not having been ashamed to ask for information, and to my rule of conversing with all descriptions of men on those topics that form their own peculiar professions and pursuits.

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. It is all pure.

As people are walking all the time, in the same spot, a path appears.

All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.

Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain.

We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us.

I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.

Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip.

Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him.