---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A criminal who, having renounced reason…"
description: "\"A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, an..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/john-locke-814_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2489177.png"
---

#  A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the…

![“A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, and therefore may be destroyed as a lion or tiger, one of those wild savage beasts with whom men can have no society nor security.” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/john-locke-814_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2489177.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/john-locke-814_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2489177.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4b3/john-locke-814_beast_a-criminal-who-having-renounced-reason-h_2489177.png)

> “A criminal who, having renounced reason ... hath, by the unjust violence and slaughter he hath committed upon one, declared war against all mankind, and therefore may be destroyed as a lion or tiger, one of those wild savage beasts with whom men can have no society nor security.”

[John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Locke argues that those who commit extreme violence become a threat to all, justifying their removal like dangerous beasts.

**In simple terms:** Violent individuals are a danger to society and can be eliminated.

Key Takeaway

Recognize and confront threats to communal safety.

Themes

justice violence society

Mood

serious reflective

Type

ethical political

When to use this quote

- law enforcement
- community safety
- human rights
- conflict resolution

Key Concepts

political philosophy social contract

Questions to Reflect On

- What defines a justifiable removal of a violent individual?
- How can societies balance security with due process?

A Different Perspective

Eliminating threats may raise moral and legal dilemmas.

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