We are born with faculties and powers capable almost of anything, such at least as would carry us farther than can easily be imagined: but it is only the exercise of those powers, which gives us ability and skill in any thing, and leads us towards perfection.
JOHN LOCKEMathematical proofs, like diamonds, are hard and clear, and will be touched with nothing but strict reasoning.
More John Locke Quotes
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Not time is the measure of movement but: …each constant periodic appearance of ideas.
JOHN LOCKE -
Neither the inveterateness of the mischief, nor the prevalency of the fashion, shall be any excuse for those who will not take care about the meaning of their own words, and will not suffer the insignificancy of their expressions to be inquired into.
JOHN LOCKE -
Where there is no desire, there will be no industry.
JOHN LOCKE -
If we trace the progress of our minds, and with attention observe how it repeats, adds together, and unites its simple ideas received from sensation or reflection, it will lead us farther than at first, perhaps, we should have imagined.
JOHN LOCKE -
There cannot any one moral rule be proposed whereof a man may not justly demand a reason.
JOHN LOCKE -
The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.
JOHN LOCKE -
Firmness or stiffness of the mind is not from adherence to truth, but submission to prejudice.
JOHN LOCKE -
A king is a mortal god on earth, unto whom the living God hath lent his own name as a great honour; but withal told him, he should die like a man, lest he should be proud, and flatter himself that God hath with his name imparted unto him his nature also.
JOHN LOCKE -
Nothing is in the intellect that was not first in the senses.
JOHN LOCKE -
If you punish him for what he sees you practise yourself, he… will be apt to interpret it the peevishness and arbitrary imperiousness of a father, who, without any ground for it, would deny his son the liberty and pleasure he takes himself.
JOHN LOCKE -
Thus parents, by humouring and cockering them when little, corrupt the principles of nature in their children, and wonder afterwards to taste the bitter waters, when they themselves have poison’d the fountain.
JOHN LOCKE -
I have no reason to suppose that he, who would take away my Liberty, would not when he had me in his Power, take away everything else.
JOHN LOCKE -
We are all a sort of chameleons, that still take a tincture from things near us: nor is it to be wondered at in children, who better understand what they see, than what they hear.
JOHN LOCKE -
Truth certainly would do well enough, if she were once left to shift for herself…She is not taught by laws, nor has she any need of force, to procure her entrance into the minds of men.
JOHN LOCKE -
I esteem it above all things necessary to distinguish exactly the business of civil government from that of religion and to settle the just bounds that lie between the one and the other.
JOHN LOCKE







