--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [M]an is not permitted without censure to…" description: "\"“[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.”\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png" --- # \[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own… ![“[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/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png) > ““\[M\]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.”” [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. The quote warns against suppressing individual thought in the pursuit of truth, emphasizing that even slight deviations from mainstream ideas deserve freedom of exploration. **In simple terms:** Freedom of thought is essential for truth‑seeking. Key Takeaway Censure stifles progress. Themes individualism truth censorship conformity intellectual freedom Mood reflective cautious inquisitive Type aphorism philosophical observation political commentary When to use this quote - academic research - journalistic investigation - artistic creation - political dissent - scientific inquiry Key Concepts autonomy critical thinking social pressure Practical Applications - policy advocacy for free speech - educational curricula that value dissent Questions to Reflect On - When does societal safety outweigh personal intellectual liberty? - How can institutions protect dissent without enabling chaos? A Different Perspective Some argue that unrestricted thought can lead to harmful misinformation, suggesting limited oversight is necessary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Censorship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/censorship/) [Freedom of thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-thought/) [Independence of thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/independence-of-thought/) [Individuality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individuality/) [Thinking-outside-of-the-box](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-outside-of-the-box/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Man is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“Use anxiety to follow your thoughts as a guide to see where it leads you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-boghossian/use-anxiety-to-follow-your-thoughts-as-a-guide-to-see-where-it-leads/) [Peter Boghossian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-boghossian/) > [I have to follow my thoughts and mine for the gold. I have to dig it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-cosby/i-have-to-follow-my-thoughts-and-mine-for-the-gold-i-have-to-dig-it/) [Bill Cosby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-cosby/) > [“When you follow your thoughts you follow a ghost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/when-you-follow-your-thoughts-you-follow-a-ghost/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [Your soul must hold fast to Him, you must follow after Him in your thoughts, you must tread His ways by faith, not in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose/your-soul-must-hold-fast-to-him-you-must-follow-after-him-in-your/) [Ambrose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose/) > [When you follow your thoughts and watch them attach to certain things, it makes certain things real and other things unreal, and you realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-anderson/when-you-follow-your-thoughts-and-watch-them-attach-to-certain-things/) [Laurie Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-anderson/) > [There is nothing wrong with thought and it can be used whenever necessary. But in every moment you can choose to follow your thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/there-is-nothing-wrong-with-thought-and-it-can-be-used-whenever/) [Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/) > [Learn to think for yourself, for your destiny cannot be found unless you follow your own thoughts to wherever they take you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/learn-to-think-for-yourself-for-your-destiny-cannot-be-found-unless/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“It is difficult to think outside the box because the thinking IS the box.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-braun/it-is-difficult-to-think-outside-the-box-because-the-thinking-is-the/) Michael Braun > [“A fundamental approach to life transformation is using social media for therapy; it forces you to have an opinion, provides intellectual stimulation, increases awareness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/a-fundamental-approach-to-life-transformation-is-using-social-media/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“Living a lifestyle of mediocrity will lead to more of the same if you don't change something now that can bring about a different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/living-a-lifestyle-of-mediocrity-will-lead-to-more-of-the-same-if-you/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [“Young children remind us how to see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-gerard-trotman/young-children-remind-us-how-to-see/) [Wayne Gerard Trotman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-gerard-trotman/) > [“You can't force creatives into a box. If you try, they'll no longer be creative. And no one will want your box.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/you-can-t-force-creatives-into-a-box-if-you-try-they-ll-no-longer-be/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/think-outside-the-box-collapse-the-box-and-take-a-fucking-sharp-knife/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [“The 7 Steps to Transformation: 1. Dream it. 2. Envision it. 3. Think it. 4. Grow it. 5. Become it. 6. Live it. 7. OWN it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/the-7-steps-to-transformation-1-dream-it-2-envision-it-3-think-it-4/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) ## More by John Locke > [I thought that I had no time for faith nor time to pray, then I saw an armless man saying his Rosary with his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/i-thought-that-i-had-no-time-for-faith-nor-time-to-pray-then-i-saw-an/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [I pretend not to teach, but to inquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/i-pretend-not-to-teach-but-to-inquire/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [If we trace the progress of our minds, and with attention observe how it repeats, adds together, and unites its simple ideas received from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/if-we-trace-the-progress-of-our-minds-and-with-attention-observe-how/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Thus parents, by humouring and cockering them when little, corrupt the principles of nature in their children, and wonder afterwards to taste the bitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/thus-parents-by-humouring-and-cockering-them-when-little-corrupt-the/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Fashion for the most part is nothing but the ostentation of riches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/fashion-for-the-most-part-is-nothing-but-the-ostentation-of-riches/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [When we know our own strength, we shall the better know what to undertake with hopes of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/when-we-know-our-own-strength-we-shall-the-better-know-what-to/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Every man has a property in his own person. This nobody has a right to, but himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/every-man-has-a-property-in-his-own-person-this-nobody-has-a-right-to/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“Earthly minds, like mud-walls, resist the strongest batteries: And though perhaps sometimes the force of a clear argument may make some impression, yet they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/earthly-minds-like-mud-walls-resist-the-strongest-batteries-and/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“To avoid this state of war (wherein there is no appeal but to heaven, and wherein every the least difference is apt to end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/to-avoid-this-state-of-war-wherein-there-is-no-appeal-but-to-heaven/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [If by gaining knowledge we destroy our health, we labour for a thing that will be useless in our hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/if-by-gaining-knowledge-we-destroy-our-health-we-labour-for-a-thing/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“don’t let the things you don’t have prevent you from using the things you do have.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/don-t-let-the-things-you-don-t-have-prevent-you-from-using-the-things/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Power to do good is the true and lawful act of aspiring; for good thoughts (though God accept them), yet towards men are little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/power-to-do-good-is-the-true-and-lawful-act-of-aspiring-for-good/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [The body of People may with Respect resist intolerable Tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/the-body-of-people-may-with-respect-resist-intolerable-tyranny/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Anger is uneasiness or discomposure of the mind upon the receipt of any injury, with a present purpose of revenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/anger-is-uneasiness-or-discomposure-of-the-mind-upon-the-receipt-of/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“Beasts abstract not.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/beasts-abstract-not/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) [Explore all 355 John Locke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) ## More Censorship quotes > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [“Censors don’t want children exposed to ideas different from their own. If every individual with an agenda had his/her way, the shelves in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/censors-don-t-want-children-exposed-to-ideas-different-from-their-own/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) > [Censorship is the child of fear and the father of ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurie-halse-anderson/censorship-is-the-child-of-fear-and-the-father-of-ignorance/) [Laurie Halse Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurie-halse-anderson/) > [I don't believe in censorship in any form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-bigelow/i-don-t-believe-in-censorship-in-any-form/) [Kathryn Bigelow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-bigelow/) > [We must be talented, powerful and resilient creatures indeed given how much we manage to produce despite the constant undercutting, ridicule and needless censorship…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth/we-must-be-talented-powerful-and-resilient-creatures-indeed-given-how/) [Seth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth/) > [When a critic sets himself up as an arbiter of morality, a judge of the matter and not the manner of a work, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-albee/when-a-critic-sets-himself-up-as-an-arbiter-of-morality-a-judge-of/) [Edward Albee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-albee/) > [When there is official censorship it is a sign that speech is serious. Where there is none, it is pretty certain that the official…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/when-there-is-official-censorship-it-is-a-sign-that-speech-is-serious/) [Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/) > [“I agree that it's a shame some books have to suffer ratings that clearly are invalid. However I can't think of a way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otis-y-chandler/i-agree-that-it-s-a-shame-some-books-have-to-suffer-ratings-that/) Otis Y. Chandler > [I think that, honestly, people's censorship issues are personal but I disagree with most of those personal choices that I see others make. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-rogen/i-think-that-honestly-people-s-censorship-issues-are-personal-but-i/) [Seth Rogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-rogen/) > [Art made tongue-tied by authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/art-made-tongue-tied-by-authority/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“The tendency to want what has been banned and therefore to presume that it is more worthwhile is not limited to such commodities as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-cialdini/the-tendency-to-want-what-has-been-banned-and-therefore-to-presume/) [Robert B. Cialdini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-cialdini/) > [The only thing that is obscene is censorship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-thing-that-is-obscene-is-censorship/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a feature film, the question of censorship always comes up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javed-jaffrey/in-a-feature-film-the-question-of-censorship-always-comes-up/) [Javed Jaffrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javed-jaffrey/) > [“Don't join the book burners. Don't think you're going to conceal faults by concealing evidence that they ever existed. Don't be afraid to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwight-d-eisenhower/don-t-join-the-book-burners-don-t-think-you-re-going-to-conceal/) [Dwight D. Eisenhower](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwight-d-eisenhower/) > [ If no one speaks out for \[young readers\], if they don’t speak out for themselves, all they’ll get for required reading will be the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judy-blume/if-no-one-speaks-out-for-young-readers-if-they-don-t-speak-out-for/) [Judy Blume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judy-blume/) [Browse all 884 Censorship quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/censorship/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“[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.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Locke" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Censorship" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bd/john-locke-814_censorship_m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_60175.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“[M]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him…” — John Locke", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Locke", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“[M]an is not permitted without censure...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```