--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A criminal who, having renounced reason…" description: "\"A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, an..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2774190.jpg" --- # A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the… ![“A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, and therefore may be destroyed as a lion or tiger, one of those wild savage beasts with whom men can have no society nor security. JOHN LOCKE, Second…” quote by J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2774190.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2774190.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cd/j-r-r-tolkien-2-1316_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2774190.jpg) > “A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, and therefore may be destroyed as a lion or tiger, one of those wild savage beasts with whom men can have no society nor security. JOHN LOCKE, Second Treatise of Civil Government Do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.” [J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A tyrant who commits violent acts against an individual threatens all humanity and can be treated like a dangerous wild animal. **In simple terms:** Violent individuals endanger society and may be eliminated. Key Takeaway Eliminate threats to collective safety. Themes justice violence society security tyranny Mood serious reflective Type ethical political When to use this quote - government policy - law enforcement - civil war - human rights advocacy Key Concepts political philosophy social contract natural rights Questions to Reflect On - What criteria determine when lethal force is justified? - How can societies protect themselves without becoming tyrannical? A Different Perspective Even the wise cannot foresee all outcomes; caution needed before lethal action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Beast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/beast/) [Capital punishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capital-punishment/) [Crime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crime/) [Criminals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criminals/) [Cybersecurity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cybersecurity/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Judgement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgement/) [Lions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lions/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Savages](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/savages/) [Security](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/security/) [Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaughter/) [Tigers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tigers/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-hath-by-the-unjust-violence/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [None of us offers resistance when he is seized, or avenges himself for your unjust violence, although our people are numerous and plentiful...it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyprian/none-of-us-offers-resistance-when-he-is-seized-or-avenges-himself-for/) [Cyprian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyprian/) > [This of course is the way to talk to dragons, if you don't want to reveal your proper name which is wise, and don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/this-of-course-is-the-way-to-talk-to-dragons-if-you-don-t-want-to/) [J. 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