Action Quote by John Locke
“Thus the law of nature stands as an eternal rule to all men, legislators as well as others. The rules that they make for other mens actions, must, as well as their own and other mens actions, be conformable to the law of nature, i.e. to the will of God, of which that is a declaration, and the fundamental law of nature being the preservation of mankind, no human sanction can be good, or valid against it.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Second Treatise of Government, 1689
Natural law, rooted in divine will, mandates that human-made laws align with humanity’s preservation; any law contrary is invalid.
In simple terms: Human laws must match natural law to protect humanity.
Key Takeaway
Align legislation with natural law.
Themes
philosophy
law
natural law
theology
human rights
Mood
academic
philosophical
Type
legal
ethical
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- judicial review
- policy making
- human rights advocacy
- environmental law
Key Concepts
social contract
ethical governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines the “will of God” in modern law?
- How can societies reconcile natural law with pluralistic values?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations of natural law vary across cultures.
![“[I]t being reasonable and just, I should have a right to destroy that which threatens me with destruction: for by the fundamental law of nature, man being to be preserved as much as possible, when all cannot be preserved, the safety of the innocent is to be preferred: and one may destroy a man who…” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e7d/john-locke-814_destruction_i-t-being-reasonable-and-just-i-should-h_404829.jpg)
![“[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)
