English philosopher (1632-1704)
Many a good poetic vein is buried under a trade, and never produces any thing for want of improvement.
JOHN LOCKE
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An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Let not men think there is no truth, but in the sciences that they study, or the books that they read.
JOHN LOCKE
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by indignities men come to dignities.
JOHN LOCKE
"Of Great Place", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political
When Fashion hath once Established, what Folly or craft began, Custom makes it Sacred, and 'twill be thought impudence or madness, to contradict or question it.
JOHN LOCKE
First Treatise of Government
The greatest part of mankind ... are given up to labor, and enslaved to the necessity of their mean condition; whose lives are worn out only in the provisions for living.
JOHN LOCKE
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
For those who either perceive but dully, or retain the ideas that come into their minds but ill, who cannot readily excite or compound them, will have little matter to think on.
JOHN LOCKE
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
He that will have his son have a respect for him and his orders, must himself have a great reverence for his son.
JOHN LOCKE
Some Thoughts Concerning Education
Religion, which should most distinguish us from the beasts, and ought most particularly elevate us, as rational creatures, above brutes, is that wherein men often appear most irrational, and more senseless than beasts.
JOHN LOCKE
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
And because it may be too great a temptation to human frailty, apt to grasp at power, for the same persons, who have the power of making laws, to have also in their hands the power to execute them, whereby they may exempt themselves from obedience to the laws they make, and suit the law, both in its making, and execution, to their own private advantage.
JOHN LOCKE
Second Treatise of Civil Government
Children (nay, and men too) do most by example.
JOHN LOCKE
Some Thoughts Concerning Education
To prejudge other men's notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put out our own eyes.
JOHN LOCKE
An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
The thoughts that come often unsought, and, as it were, drop into the mind, are commonly the most valuable of any we have, and therefore should be secured, because they seldom return again.
JOHN LOCKE
letter to Mr. Samuel Bold, May 16, 1699
All the entertainment and talk of history is nothing almost but fighting and killing: and the honour and renown that is bestowed on conquerors (who for the most part are but the great butchers of mankind) farther mislead growing youth, who by this means come to think slaughter the laudible business of mankind, and the most heroic of virtues.
JOHN LOCKE
Some Thoughts Concerning Education
Knowledge is grateful to the understanding, as light to the eyes.
JOHN LOCKE
Some Thoughts Concerning Education
The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall: but in charity there is no excess, neither can angel nor man come in danger by it.
JOHN LOCKE
"Of Goodness, and Goodness of Nature", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political
Stubbornness and an obstinate disobedience must be mastered with blows.
JOHN LOCKE
attributed, John Locke: Prophet of Common Sense
Lying ... is so ill a quality, and the mother of so many ill ones that spawn from it, and take shelter under it, that a child should be brought up in the greatest abhorrence of it imaginable. It should be always spoke of before him with the utmost detestation, as a quality so wholly inconsistent with the name and character of a gentleman, that no body of any credit can bear the imputation of a lie; a mark that is judg'd in utmost disgrace, which debases a man to the lowest degree of a shameful meanness, and ranks him with the most contemptible part of mankind and the abhorred rascality; and is not to be endured in any one who would converse with people of condition, or have any esteem or reputation in the world.
JOHN LOCKE
Some Thoughts Concerning Education
Where danger shews it self, apprehension cannot, without stupidity, be wanting; where danger is, sense of danger should be; and so much fear as should keep us awake, and excite our attention, industry, and vigour; but not to disturb the calm use of our reason, nor hinder the execution of what that dictates.
JOHN LOCKE
Some Thoughts Concerning Education
A king that would not feel his crown too heavy for him, must wear it every day, but if he think it too light, he knoweth not of what metal it is made.
JOHN LOCKE
"Of a King", The Conduct of the Understanding: Essays, Moral, Economical, and Political
There is only one thing which gathers people into seditious commotion, and that is oppression.
JOHN LOCKE
A Letter Concerning Toleration