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Admirable Quote by John Locke

“Nature never makes excellent things, for mean or no uses: and it is hardly to be conceived, that our infinitely wise Creator, should make so admirable a Faculty, as the power of Thinking, that Faculty which comes nearest the Excellency of his own incomprehensible Being, to be so idlely and…” quote by John Locke
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“Nature never makes excellent things, for mean or no uses: and it is hardly to be conceived, that our infinitely wise Creator, should make so admirable a Faculty, as the power of Thinking, that Faculty which comes nearest the Excellency of his own incomprehensible Being, to be so idlely and uselesly employ'd, at least 1/4 part of its time here, as to think constantly, without remembering any of those Thoughts, without doing any good to it self or others, or being anyway useful to any other part of Creation.”

John Locke

About This Quote

Source Treatise: An Essay Concerning Human Understanding, 1690

Human intellect is underused; much of our thinking is idle and unproductive.

In simple terms: We waste mental capacity.

Key Takeaway

Focus thoughts on purposeful activity.

Themes

human nature intellectual waste purpose creativity

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

  • education
  • workplace productivity
  • creative projects

Key Concepts

cognitive efficiency philosophy of mind

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we reduce idle thinking?
  • What activities give meaning to thought?
A Different Perspective

Changing habits is difficult.

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