Aggressors Quote by John Locke
“Whoever uses force without Right ... puts himself into a state of War with those, against whom he uses it, and in that state all former Ties are canceled, all other Rights cease, and every one has a Right to defend himself, and to resist the Aggressor.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Two Treatises of Government, 1689
Argues that force without moral justification creates perpetual conflict, nullifying existing bonds and rights, granting self‑defense against aggressors.
In simple terms: Unjust force leads to war and loss of rights.
Key Takeaway
Resist illegitimate aggression.
Themes
justice
rights
conflict
Mood
serious
defensive
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- political protest
- personal safety
- legal disputes
- international relations
Key Concepts
social contract
legitimacy
self‑defense
Questions to Reflect On
- When is force morally justified?
- How can societies prevent escalation?
A Different Perspective
May be used to justify endless cycles of retaliation.
![“[Individuals] have a right to defend themselves and recover by force what by unlawful force is taken from them.” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/30b/john-locke-814_force_individuals-have-a-right-to-defend-thems_2909900.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)
