John Locke
John Locke
John Locke FRSwas an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential of Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "Father of Liberalism". Considered one of the first of the British empiricists, following the tradition of Sir Francis Bacon, he is equally important to social contract theory. His work greatly affected the development of epistemology and political philosophy. His writings influenced Voltaire and Rousseau, many Scottish Enlightenment thinkers, as well as the American revolutionaries. His contributions...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPhilosopher
Date of Birth29 August 1632
All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.
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.
Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.
It is easier for a tutor to command than to teach.
Don't tell me what I can't do!
An excellent man, like precious metal, is in every way invariable; A villain, like the beams of a balance, is always varying, upwards and downwards.
If the Gospel and the Apostles may be credited, no man can be a Christian without charity, and without that faith which works, not by force, but by love.
To be rational is so glorious a thing, that two-legged creatures generally content themselves with the title.
Error is none the better for being common, nor truth the worse for having lain neglected.
Anger is uneasiness or discomposure of the mind upon the receipt of any injury, with a present purpose of revenge
Knowledge being to be had only of visible and certain truth, error is not a fault of our knowledge, but a mistake of our judgment, giving assent to that which is not true.
He that denies any of the doctrines that Christ has delivered, to be true, denies him to be sent from God, and consequently to be the Messiah; and so ceases to be a Christian.
Many a good poetic vein is buried under a trade, and never produces any thing for want of improvement.
It is practice alone that brings the powers of the mind, as well as those of the body, to their perfection.