About the author
Context for this collection
1632–1704 · English philosopher
Common themes
Knowledge, education, inquiry, intellectual limits, freedom, religious toleration, judgment and disciplined assent.
Source identified1
“The toleration of those that differ from others in matters of religion is so agreeable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the genuine reason of mankind, that it seems monstrous for men to be so blind as not to perceive the necessity and advantage of it in so clear a light.”
Locke argues that religious difference should not by itself justify coercion or persecution, grounding toleration both in his reading of Christianity and in a broader appeal to human reason.
Source note: A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689), public-domain text also preserved in The Works of John Locke. Locke immediately distinguishes civil government from religion and argues that persecution should not be disguised as care for souls. His historical position had limits, so this page does not present the letter as a complete modern theory of equal religious freedom.
Source identified2
“Our business here is not to know all things, but those which concern our conduct.”
Locke places useful limits around intellectual ambition: human inquiry need not comprehend everything in order to guide life well, and knowing where understanding stops is part of using it responsibly.
Source note: An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding, Book I, Chapter I, section 6, Project Gutenberg #10615.
Source identified3
“Curiosity in children is but an appetite after knowledge; and therefore ought to be encouraged in them.”
Locke treats curiosity as a natural drive toward knowledge and argues that education should protect and guide it rather than shame sincere questions.
Source note: Some Thoughts Concerning Education, section 118, on encouraging children’s enquiries.