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This is to think, that men are so foolish, that they take care to avoid what mischiefs may be done them by pole-cats, or foxes but are content, nay, think it safety, to be devoured by lions.

John Locke

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John Locke
Age: 72 †
Born: 1632
Born: August 29
Died: 1704
Died: October 28
Philosopher
Physician
Politician
Writer
Wrington
Somerset
Men
Foolish
Mischiefs
Think
Content
Devoured
Thinking
Avoid
Pole
Safety
Mischief
Care
Foxes
May
Lions
Take
Cats
Done
Cat

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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.
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Many a good poetic vein is buried under a trade, and never produces any thing for want of improvement.
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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.
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There are two sides, two players. One is light, the other is dark.
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A sound mind in a sound body is a short but full description of a happy state in this world.
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In transgressing the law of nature, the offender declares himself to live by another rule than that of reason and common equity.
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How then shall they have the play-games you allow them, if none must be bought for them? I answer, they should make them themselves, or at least endeavour it, and set themselves about it. ...And if you help them where they are at a stand, it will more endear you to them than any chargeable toys that you shall buy for them.
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For a man's property is not at all secure, though there be good and equitable laws to set the bounds of it, between him and his fellow subjects, if he who commands those subjects, have power to take from any private man, what part he pleases of his property, and use and dispose of it as he thinks good.
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Children have as much mind to show that they are free, that their own good actions come from themselves, that they are absolute and independent, as any of the proudest of you grown men, think of them as you please.
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God, when he makes the prophet, does not unmake the man.
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Practice conquers the habit of doing, without reflecting on the rule.
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Habits wear more constantly and with greatest force than reason, which, when we have most need of it, is seldom fairly consulted, and more rarely obeyed
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Those are not at all to be tolerated who deny the being of God. Promises, covenants, and oaths, which are the bonds of human society, can have no hold upon an atheist. The taking away of God, though but even in thought, dissolves all.
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Who hath a prospect of the different state of perfect happiness or misery that attends all men after this life, depending on their behavior, the measures of good and evil that govern his choice are mightily changed.
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Is it worth the name of freedom to be at liberty to play the fool?
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Certain subjects yield a general power that may be applied in any direction and should be studied by all.
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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.
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Though the familiar use of things about us take off our wonder, yet it cures not our ignorance.
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The people cannot delegate to government the power to do anything which would be unlawful for them to do themselves.
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