Locke argues that true freedom isn't absolute license, but the ability to act within a framework of laws that protect everyone. Without rules, society devolves into chaos, hindering genuine liberty and making true freedom impossible for all.
Quote by John Locke: “Where there is no law, there is no freedom.”
Where there is no law, there is no freedom.
Insight
Historical Context
This statement from Two Treatises of Government highlights Locke's belief that laws are essential for preserving individual freedom and order in a civil society, contrasting with Hobbes' view of unrestrained natural liberty.
About the Author
English philosopher born in 1632, one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers. His Two Treatises of Government argued that legitimate political authority requires consent of the governed, directly influencing the American and French revolutions. His Essay Concerning Human Understanding laid foundations for modern epistemology and empiricist philosophy.
View all quotes by John Locke