--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every man carries about him a touchstone…" description: "\"Every man carries about him a touchstone, if he will make use of it, to distinguish substantial gold from superficial glitterings, truth from appearanc..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/john-locke-814_appearance_every-man-carries-about-him-a-touchstone_2734649.jpg" --- # Every man carries about him a touchstone, if he will make… ![“Every man carries about him a touchstone, if he will make use of it, to distinguish substantial gold from superficial glitterings, truth from appearances. And indeed the use and benefit of this touchstone, which is natural reason, is spoiled and lost only by assuming prejudices, overweening…” quote by John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/john-locke-814_appearance_every-man-carries-about-him-a-touchstone_2734649.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/john-locke-814_appearance_every-man-carries-about-him-a-touchstone_2734649.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f4/john-locke-814_appearance_every-man-carries-about-him-a-touchstone_2734649.jpg) > “Every man carries about him a touchstone, if he will make use of it, to distinguish substantial gold from superficial glitterings, truth from appearances. And indeed the use and benefit of this touchstone, which is natural reason, is spoiled and lost only by assuming prejudices, overweening presumption, and narrowing our minds.” [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. Reason acts as a touchstone, helping us separate true value from mere appearance, but prejudice clouds this judgment. **In simple terms:** Reason distinguishes truth from illusion. Key Takeaway Cultivate unbiased thinking. Themes philosophy epistemology critical thinking truth prejudice Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - Education - scientific research - media literacy - personal decision making Key Concepts Rationalism cognitive bias knowledge acquisition Questions to Reflect On - How can we recognize our own prejudices? - What practices sharpen rational judgment? A Different Perspective Even reason can be misled by deeply held biases. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gold/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Prejudice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prejudice/) [Presumption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presumption/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Touchstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/touchstone/) ## Related quotes > [Calamity is man's true touchstone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-william-fletcher/calamity-is-man-s-true-touchstone/) [John William Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-william-fletcher/) > [The model for me is a touchstone, it is a door which I must break open in order to reach the garden in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-matisse/the-model-for-me-is-a-touchstone-it-is-a-door-which-i-must-break-open/) [Henri Matisse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-matisse/) > [The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self: the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-whyte/the-ultimate-touchstone-of-friendship-is-not-improvement-neither-of/) [David Whyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-whyte/) > [Pain is the touchstone of all growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-w/pain-is-the-touchstone-of-all-growth/) [Bill W](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-w/) > [Chess is the touchstone of intellect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/chess-is-the-touchstone-of-intellect/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Drudgery is one of the finest touchstones of character there is. 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