The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.
— Some Thoughts Concerning Education
John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers and commonly known as the "father of liberalism." His important works include A Letter Concerning Toleration, Two Treatises of Government and An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
His writing on toleration holds that religion is a matter for the individual and that churches are voluntary associations, ruling out religious coercion. His Two Treatises argue for government based on the consent of the governed and for the right to revolt against a tyrannous government that has lost that consent. The Two Treatises are believed to have influenced the language Thomas Jefferson chose when drafting the Declaration of Independence. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is his most quoted work in our library.
His writing on toleration holds that religion is a matter for the individual and that churches are voluntary associations, ruling out religious coercion. His Two Treatises argue for government based on the consent of the governed and for the right to revolt against a tyrannous government that has lost that consent. The Two Treatises are believed to have influenced the language Thomas Jefferson chose when drafting the Declaration of Independence. An Essay Concerning Human Understanding is his most quoted work in our library.
Most quoted works
- An Essay Concerning Human Understanding 5
- Second Treatise of Government 5
It is therefore worthwhile, to search out the bounds between opinion and knowledge; and examine by what measures, in things, whereof we have no certain knowledge, we ought to regulate our assent, and moderate our persuasions.
— An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
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.
— An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
— Second Treatise of Government
The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.
— Two Treatises of Government
Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.
— Second Treatise of Government
[M]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out of the common road.
— An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
Liberty is not an Idea belonging to Volition, or preferring; but to the Person having the Power of doing, or forbearing to do, according as the Mind shall chuse or direct.
— An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
...but since He gave it them for their benefit and the greatest conveniences of life they were capable to draw form it, it cannot be supposed He meant it should always remain common and uncultivated. He gave it to the use of the industrious and rational (and labour was to be his title to it)...
— Second Treatise of Government
We are like chameleons, we take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us.