398 Quotes by John Locke

Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.

The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it, into which a young gentleman should be enter’d by degrees, as he can bear it; and the earlier the better, so he be in safe and skillful hands to guide him.

This is my destiny – I’m supposed to do this, dammit! Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do!

Children generally hate to be idle; all the care then is that their busy humour should be constantly employed in something of use to them.

The great question which in all ages has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of those mischiefs which have ruined cities, depopulated countries, and disordered the peace of the world, has been, not whether there be power in the world, nor whence it came, but who should have it.

Who are we to tell anyone what they can or can’t do?

He that makes use of another’s fancy or necessity to sell ribbons or cloth dearer to him than to another man at the same time, cheats him.

The mind is furnished with ideas by experience alone.

Thus the ideas, as well as children, of our youth, often die before us: and our minds represent to us those tombs to which we are approaching; where, though the brass and marble remain, yet the inscriptions are effaced by time, and the imagery moulders away.