John Locke Quotes on Wisdom & Knowledge (8 Quotes)

Till a man can judge whether they be truths or not, his understanding is but little improved, and thus men of much reading, though greatly learned, but may be little knowing.

General observations drawn from particulars are the jewels of knowledge, comprehending great store in a little room.

Curiosity in children, is but an appetite for knowledge. One great reason why children abandon themselves wholly to silly pursuits and trifle away their time insipidly is, because they find their curiosity balked, and their inquiries neglected.

Reverie is when ideas float in our mind without reflection or regard of the understanding.

Reason is natural revelation, whereby the eternal father of light, and fountain of all knowledge, communicates to mankind that portion of truth which he has laid within the reach of their natural faculties revelation is natural reason enlarged by a new set of discoveries communicated by God....

In all things, therefore, where we have clear evidence from our ideas, and those principles of knowledge I have above mentioned, reason is the proper judge and revelation, though it may, in consenting with it, confirm its dictates, yet cannot in such cases invalidate its decrees nor can we be obliged, where we have the clear and evident sentience of reason, to quit it for the contrary opinion, under a pretence that it is matter of faith which can have no authority against the plain and clear dictates of reason.

Reading furnishes the mind only with materials of knowledge; it is thinking that makes what we read ours.

The improvement of the understanding is for two ends first, for our own increase of knowledge secondly, to enable us to deliver and make out that knowledge to others.