John LockeJohn Locke, (1632-1704) English philosopher and political theorist

John Locke Quote

“Where there is no law there is no freedom.”

John LockeJohn Locke
~ John Locke


Ratings and Comments


Mike, Norwalk

The most non-biblical quoted source for the Constitution here sets forth an absolute.

Ebon Lupus, Klamath Falls

Do you think he wass speaking about Nature's Law, because human laws are made to be broken.

Warren, Olathe

Anarchy is the ultimate tyranny. Anarchy is the ultimate form of natural law.

Robert, Sarasota

Lock was an empiricist and new the importance of experience as the basis of knowledge - self discipline is the way to freedom as law is to society.

E Archer, NYC

Freedom means Responsibility -- in other words self-goverance with honor. The 'law' may be one's moral code or mutual agreement. Either way, to break it is to be bound to the consequences.

Warren, Olathe

It all comes to one simple fact. When you fail to take responsibility you pass it on to the government your freedom going with it.

Mike, Norwalk

Yes Lupus I do. The further man's rules get from natural law (by way of example: compelled compliance, license, victimless crimes, theft of the noble labor's fruits, forced charity-ID-insurance, no security in papers, person, or property, etc.) respectively, the less freedom there is. Lawless rules destroy freedom or Where there is no law there is no freedom. Oh, that's already been said.:-)

Ken, Allyn, WA

When everyone behaves morally out of personal responsibility there is no need for law and everyone has perfect freedom. That is the Utopian ideal that we are unlikely to achieve, but the more personal responsibly people choose to act, the more free they are.

Roger W Hancock, Auburn, WA

The law began and was founded upon religious precepts. In the beginning God gave one law. Man disobeyed and is now cursed by the many. 'Liberty is maintained by responsible freedom.' Laws help keep the irresponsible responsible. - Roger W Hancock, www.PoetPatriot.com

alice, oakham, UK

I believe he is responding to Hobbes' description of the State of Nature being the State of War, because without laws, there is no security, and therefore no freedom to do anything without fear. So, without law; murder, rape etc. would be acceptable, making everyone unfree because of the fear of these things.

Lucy, Topsail

i love this man he makes me want to dance in front of my mirror :]

Anonymous, California

What he is saying is that without laws, natural or otherwise, no one is free. Anyone could enslave who they wish, murder who they wish, thieve what they want, ect. Locke is simply stating a simplified version of what I just said (and I don't at all mean that in a vain way).

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