John Locke - An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689)

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He that would seriously set upon the search of truth, ought in the first place to prepare his mind with a love of it. For he that loves it not, will not take much pains to get it; nor be much concerned when he misses it.

John Locke
Preference of vice to virtue, a manifest wrong judgment.

John Locke
Nature never makes excellent things for mean or no uses.

John Locke
General propositions are seldom mentioned in the huts of Indians: much less are they to be found in the thoughts of children.

John Locke
Religion, which should most distinguish us from the beasts, and ought most particularly elevate us, as rational creatures, above brutes, is that wherein men often appear most irrational, and more senseless than beasts.

John Locke
It is of great use to the sailor to know the length of his line, though he cannot with it fathom all the depths of the ocean.

John Locke
It is one thing, to shew a Man that he is in an Error; and another, to put him in possession of Truth.

John Locke
False and doubtful positions, relied upon as unquestionable maxims, keep those who build on them in the dark from truth. Such are usually the prejudices imbibed from education, party, reverence, fashion, interest, et cetera.

John Locke
Truth, like gold, is not less so for being newly brought out of the mine.

John Locke
The actions of men are the best interpreters of their thoughts.

John Locke
It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.

John Locke
He that uses his words loosely and unsteadily will either not be minded or not understood.

John Locke
There cannot any one moral Rule be propos'd, whereof a Man may not justly demand a Reason.

John Locke