Authority Quote by John Locke
“All men by nature are equal in that equal right that every man hath to his natural freedom, without being subjected to the will or authority of any other man; being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Two Treatises of Government, 1689
All humans possess inherent rights to life, liberty, and property, and no one should infringe upon these freedoms.
In simple terms: Everyone has natural rights that must be respected.
Key Takeaway
Protect and respect fundamental freedoms.
Themes
politics
ethics
human rights
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- legal systems
- civil rights movements
- education
- policy debates
Key Concepts
natural law
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities accompany natural rights?
- How should societies balance individual rights with communal needs?
A Different Perspective
Rights can conflict with collective security or cultural norms.
![“[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.” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.jpg)
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)