15 John Locke Quotes to Help you Think Without Prejudice
John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely known as the founder of empiricism and the "Father of Liberalism."
Locke’s philosophy inspired both the European Enlightenment and the Constitution of the United States. His political philosophy was grounded in the importance of toleration between individuals and in the notion of the social contract, concerning the legitimacy of the authority of the state over the individual.
Locke’s theories inspired later philosophers such as Voltaire, Jean Jacques Rousseau, David Hume and Immanuel Kant. By defining the self through a continuity of consciousness, Locke suggested that all of our ideas and knowledge are determined only by experience (empiricism) and that individuals are born without built-in mental content.
As a physician, Locke had become a fellow of the Royal Society and along with Thomas Sydenham, conducted important research based on careful observation and firm evidence.
Here are 15 John Locke quotes to help you think without prejudice and become a more tolerant person.
I have always thought the actions of men the best interpreters of their thoughts.
We are like chameleons. We take our hue and the color of our moral character, from those who are around us.
New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not common.
The great question which, in all ages, has disturbed mankind, and brought on them the greatest part of their mischiefs ... has been, not whether be power in the world, nor whence it came, but who should have it.
To prejudge other men's notions before we have looked into them is not to show their darkness but to put out our own eyes.
Few men think, yet all will have opinions. Hence men’s opinions are superficial and confused.
The only defense against the world is a thorough knowledge of it.
There is frequently more to be learned from the unexpected questions of a child than the discourses of men.
Now, I appeal to the consciences of those who persecute, wound, torture, and kill other men on the excuse of ‘religion’, whether they do this in a spirit of friendship and kindness.
Our business here is not to know all things, but those which concern our conduct.
Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.
To love truth for truth's sake is the principal part of human perfection in this world, and the seed-plot of all other virtues.
Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent.
There are a thousand ways to wealth, but only one way to Heaven.
We are born to be, if we please, rational creatures, but it is use and exercise only that makes us so.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.