Quote

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.

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
Reason
Indeed
Prejudices
Narrowing
Every
Benefits
Carries
Touchstone
Mind
Minds
Carrie
Touchstones
Make
Gold
Superficial
Presumption
Men
Natural
Benefit
Substantial
Use
Prejudice
Appearances
Lost
Assuming
Spoiled
Truth
Appearance
Distinguish
Overweening

More quotes by John Locke

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Revelation in matters where reason cannot judge, or but probably, ought to be hearkened to. First, Whatever proposition is revealed, of whose truth our mind, by its natural faculties and notions, cannot judge, that is purely matter of faith, and above reason.
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To ask at what time a man has first any ideas is to ask when he begins to perceive having ideas and perception being the same thing.
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Moral laws are set as a curb and restraint to these exorbitant desires, which they cannot be but by rewards and punishments, that will over-balance the satisfaction any one shall propose to himself in the breach of the law.
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[Individuals] have a right to defend themselves and recover by force what by unlawful force is taken from them.
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The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.
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It is labour indeed that puts the difference on everything.
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It is easier for a tutor to command than to teach.
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Whosoever is found variable, and changeth manifestly without manifest cause, giveth suspicion of corruption: therefore, always, when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, and declare it, together with the reasons that move thee to change.
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A man may live long, and die at last in ignorance of many truths, which his mind was capable of knowing, and that with certainty.
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Crooked things may be as stiff and unflexible as streight: and Men may be as positive and peremptory in Error as in Truth.
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Memory is the power to revive again in our minds those ideas which after imprinting have disappeared, or have been laid aside out of sight.
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Children (nay, and men too) do most by example.
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There is not so contemptible a plant or animal that does not confound the most enlarged understanding.
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Affectation is an awkward and forced imitation of what should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what is natural.
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Not time is the measure of movement but: ...each constant periodic appearance of ideas.
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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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The dread of evil is a much more forcible principle of human actions than the prospect of good.
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Defects and weakness in men's understandings, as well as other faculties, come from want of a right use of their own minds I am apt to think, the fault is generally mislaid upon nature, and there is often a complaint of want of parts, when the fault lies in want of a due improvement of them.
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God is the place of spirits, as spaces are the places of bodies.
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That which is static and repetitive is boring. That which is dynamic and random is confusing. In between lies art.
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