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Untruth being unacceptable to the mind of man, there is no other defence left for absurdity but obscurity.

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
Left
Mind
Men
Untruth
Unacceptable
Obscurity
Defence
Absurdity

More quotes by John Locke

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I find every sect, as far as reason will help them, make use of it gladly: and where it fails them, they cry out, It is a matter of faith, and above reason.
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The chief art of learning is to attempt but a little at a time.
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Till a man can judge whether they be truths or not, his understanding is but little improved, and thus men of much reading, though greatly learned, but may be little knowing.
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The business of education is not to make the young perfect in any one of the sciences, but so to open and dispose their minds as may best make them - capable of any, when they shall apply themselves to it.
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It is ambition enough to be employed as an under-labourer in clearing the ground a little, and removing some of the rubbish that lies in the way to knowledge.
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'Tis true that governments cannot be supported without great charge, and it is fit everyone who enjoys a share of protection should pay out of his estate his proportion of the maintenance of it.
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To love truth for truth's sake is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of all other virtues.
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God is the place of spirits, as spaces are the places of bodies.
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Beating is the worst, and therefore the last means to be us'd in the correction of children, and that only in the cases of extremity, after all gently ways have been try'd, and proved unsuccessful which, if well observ'd, there will very seldom be any need of blows.
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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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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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Every man carries about him a touchstone, if he will make use of it, to distinguish substantial gold from superficial glitterings, truth from appearances. And indeed the use and benefit of this touchstone, which is natural reason, is spoiled and lost only by assuming prejudices, overweening presumption, and narrowing our minds.
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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.
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Men in great place are thrice servants servants of the sovereign state, servants of fame, and servants of business so as they have no freedom, neither in their persons, nor in their actions, nor in their times. It is a strange desire to seek power and to lose liberty or to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man's self.
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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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There cannot any one moral rule be proposed whereof a man may not justly demand a reason.
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It is easier for a tutor to command than to teach.
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Wherever Law ends, Tyranny begins.
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Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain.
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Children (nay, and men too) do most by example.
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