35 quotes
English philosopher and physician (1632–1704)
“When we find out an Idea, by whose Intervention we discover the Connexion of two others, this is a Revelation from God to us, by the voice of Reason.”
"The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom."
on Freedom
"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."
on Love
"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."
on Truth
"Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions."
on Human Rights
"I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts."
"[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."
"All men are liable to error and most men are ... by passion or interest under temptation to it."
on Philosophy
"It is a man's proper business to seek happiness and avoid misery."
on Happiness
"The reason why men enter into society is the preservation of their property."
"All wealth is the product of labor"
on Labor
"Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues."
on Wisdom
"Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge it is thinking that makes what we read ours."
"The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it."
"Education begins the gentleman, but reading, good company and reflection must finish him."
on Education
"No man's knowledge here can go beyond his experience."
"The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others."
on Knowledge
"The only fence against the world is a thorough knowledge of it."
"Our incomes are like our shoes; if too small, they gall and pinch us; but if too large, they cause us to stumble and to trip."
on Wealth
"We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are, the signs of our ideas only, and not for things themselves."
on Communication
"All mankind... being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions."
