Action Quote by John Locke
“To understand political power right, and derive it from its original, we must consider, what state all men are naturally in, and that is, a state of perfect freedom to order their actions, and dispose of their possessions and persons, as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave, or depending upon the will of any other man.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Second Treatise of Government, 1689
Locke argues that natural freedom allows individuals to act and own property as they wish, provided they respect natural law and do not infringe on others.
In simple terms: People are naturally free to act and own property within natural law.
Key Takeaway
Respect others’ rights while exercising your freedom.
Themes
freedom
property
natural law
government
rights
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
theoretical
When to use this quote
- political theory
- legal rights
- civil society
- personal autonomy
Key Concepts
social contract
individual liberty
law of nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal liberty with societal rules?
- When should law limit natural freedom?
A Different Perspective
Freedom can conflict with collective safety and order.
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![“[The aim of science is] to explain what so far has taken to be an explicans, such as a law of nature. The task of empirical science constantly renews itself. We may go on forever, proceeding to explanations of a higher and higher universality...” quote by Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f4e/karl-popper-2167_aim_the-aim-of-science-is-to-explain-what-so_121944.jpg)
![“[A]s it must be admitted that the remedy under the Constitution lies where it has been marked out by the Constitution; and that no appeal can be consistently made from that remedy by those who were and still profess to be parties to it, but the appeal to the parties themselves having an authority…” quote by James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/803/james-madison-373_appeals_a-s-it-must-be-admitted-that-the-remedy_69293.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)
