--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Man is not permitted without censure to…" description: "\"Man 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.\" — Jo..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png" --- # Man is not permitted without censure to follow his own… ![“Man 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/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png) > “Man 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. True inquiry requires external criticism; without it, personal ideas drift from shared knowledge. **In simple terms:** Seek feedback when exploring ideas. Key Takeaway Invite critique to stay grounded. Themes critical thinking truth individualism Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic research - scientific experiments - philosophical debates - creative writing Key Concepts epistemology social validation Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance personal insight with external critique? - When might dissent hinder innovation? A Different Perspective Uncritical self‑direction can reinforce bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [ “\[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [You cannot give me an instance of any man who is permitted to lay out his own time contriving not to have tedious hours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-cannot-give-me-an-instance-of-any-man-who-is-permitted-to-lay-out/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [“I think it should not be otherwise in industry. The men are there to get the greatest possible amount of work done and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ford/i-think-it-should-not-be-otherwise-in-industry-the-men-are-there-to/) [Henry Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ford/) > [War ... a reversal of the rules where a man is permitted to kill all the humans he can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/war-a-reversal-of-the-rules-where-a-man-is-permitted-to-kill-all-the/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Existence alone had never been enough for him; he had always wanted more. 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We can, and should, engage in it to the extent we can and encourage others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-search-for-truth-is-a-cooperative-unending-endeavor-we-can-and/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [The right to search for the truth implies also a duty; one must not conceal any part of what one has recognized to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-right-to-search-for-the-truth-implies-also-a-duty-one-must-not/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) ## 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/) > [ “\[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/) [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/) [Explore all 355 John Locke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) ## More Censure quotes > [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [I have often met with happiness after some imprudent step which ought to have brought ruin upon me, and although passing a vote of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giacomo-casanova/i-have-often-met-with-happiness-after-some-imprudent-step-which-ought/) [Giacomo Casanova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giacomo-casanova/) > [Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/let-such-teach-others-who-themselves-excel-and-censure-freely-who/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [ “\[M\]an is not permitted without censure to follow his own thoughts in the search of truth, when they lead him ever so little out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/m-an-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [If there should chance to be any mathematicians who, ignorant in mathematics yet pretending to skill in that science, should dare, upon the authority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/if-there-should-chance-to-be-any-mathematicians-who-ignorant-in/) [Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/) > [The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/the-praise-of-the-envious-is-far-less-creditable-than-their-censure/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [Why should we censure Othello when the Criterion Lover says, "Thou shalt have no other Gods before Me"?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/why-should-we-censure-othello-when-the-criterion-lover-says-thou/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Assuming that two-thirds of the Senate will not vote to remove the president, what is the alternative? I think we need to explore that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thad-cochran/assuming-that-two-thirds-of-the-senate-will-not-vote-to-remove-the/) [Thad Cochran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thad-cochran/) > [The censure of a dog is something no man can stand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-morley/the-censure-of-a-dog-is-something-no-man-can-stand/) [Christopher Morley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-morley/) > [Dat veniam corvis, vexat censura columbas. - Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/dat-veniam-corvis-vexat-censura-columbas-censure-acquits-the-raven/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) > [John Doyle just knows how to feed actors, and what comes out of us, good, bad, right, wrong, doesn't matter. There's no fear or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-lupone/john-doyle-just-knows-how-to-feed-actors-and-what-comes-out-of-us/) [Patti LuPone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-lupone/) > [The stage I chose--a subject fair and free-- 'Tis yours--'tis mine--'tis public property. All common exhibitions open lie, For praise or censure, to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-churchill/the-stage-i-chose-a-subject-fair-and-free-tis-yours-tis-mine-tis/) [Charles Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-churchill/) > [Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/praise-from-a-friend-or-censure-from-a-foe-are-lost-on-hearers-that/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [We put together a one-sentence petition asking Congress to censure President Clinton and move on to other pressing issues. We sent it to under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-blades/we-put-together-a-one-sentence-petition-asking-congress-to-censure/) [Joan Blades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-blades/) > [Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juvenal/censure-acquits-the-raven-but-pursues-the-dove/) [Juvenal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juvenal/) Browse all 183 Censure quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Man 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/man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Censure" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/694/john-locke-814_censure_man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to_2102135.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Man 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": "Man is not permitted without censure...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/man-is-not-permitted-without-censure-to-follow-his-own-thoughts-in/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/man-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 } } ] } ```